On August 13, thousands of Whitsunday residents will cast their vote in the Whitsunday Mayoral by-election at voting booths across the region.
More than 4000 people have already taken advantage of early voting ahead of the Saturday mandatory vote, according to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ).
They expect up to 12,000 more people could cast their vote at one of four early voting polling booths in Bowen, Cannonvale, Collinsville, and Proserpine before Saturday.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said Whitsunday early voters were making the most of early voting options, including voting in person at early voting centres, via postal votes or telephone voting for those eligible.
“We still expect around 40 or 50 per cent of votes to be cast before Saturday’s polling day,” Mr Vidgen said.
“We know the last couple of days before election day are always busy so we encourage anyone interested in voting early, to get in early to avoid queues.”
Early voting booths are open daily in Bowen, Cannonvale and Proserpine from 9am to 5pm, except Friday when they close at 6pm. Collinsville opens today until Thursday from 1pm to 5pm and from 1pm to 6pm on Friday.
• Bowen PCYC, corner Hay St and Queens Rd, Bowen
• Whitsunday Shopping Centre, shop 150/226 Shute Harbour Rd, Cannonvale
• Collinsville Community Centre, 11 Conway Street, Collinsville
• Proserpine Whitsunday Freemason Lodge, 29 Chapman St, Proserpine
Voters have until midday on Saturday to register for telephone voting and can vote up until 6pm on election night. To register phone 1300 912 782.
Telephone voting is available to those who meet certain criteria, including having to isolate due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or those who are interstate or overseas.
Where To Vote On Election Day:
Five polling booths will be open from 8am to 6pm on election day, Saturday 13 August:
• Cannonvale State School, 56 Coral Esplanade, Cannonvale
• Collinsville Community Centre, 11 Conway Street, Collinsville
• Father Tom Guard Hall, St Catherine’s Catholic College, 90 Renwick Road, Proserpine
• Hamilton Island Resort, Hamilton Island
• Bowen PCYC, Corner Hay St and Queens Rd, Bowen
