Record early voter turnout ahead of election

Canberra

As Australia gears up for its general election on May 3, early voting officially began across the nation on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the democratic process. With approximately 18 million registered voters, nearly half are expected to cast their ballots before the official polling day.

Doors to hundreds of early voting centres opened at 8:30 a.m. local time, signaling the final sprint of the federal election campaign. According to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), voter enrollment is at a historic high of 98.2 percent, underscoring strong civic participation despite growing political fatigue among sections of the public. Early voting has seen a dramatic rise over the years—from under 20 percent in 2004 to nearly 50 percent in the 2022 election. Experts attribute this shift to both convenience and voter disillusionment with traditional campaigning. It’s become not just easier, but preferable for many Australians, said Dr. Jill Sheppard, senior lecturer at the Australian National University. While early votes are being cast, electoral law dictates that counting cannot begin until polls officially close at 6 p.m. on May 3. This means millions of early ballots will remain sealed until the final moment.

On the political front, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains cautious, despite opinion polls suggesting his Labour Party holds a narrow lead over the Coalition. A recent Newspoll places Labour at 52–48 in the two-party preferred count, while a YouGov poll gives them a stronger 53–47 edge—Labour’s best showing in 18 months. Speaking in New South Wales on Monday, Albanese said, there’s no complacency from my camp. This election is certainly up for grabs.