Early voting is becoming more popular. In the QLD state election, about 60% of the votes were early - either postal or in person. This is mostly due to an increase in the number of people doing in-person pre-poll votes.

It seems to be slightly more popular in QLD than other states. Perhaps because of a higher proportion of people in the resources sector.

Pre-poll votes also tend to favour the coalition. I think the polling day votes get counted first, so there tends to be a late swing to the coalition.

https://antonygreen.com.au/early-voting-and-how-tonights-queensland-election-count-might-unfold/

https://antonygreen.com.au/5647-2/

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Research/FlagPost/2022/May/Early_voting_at_the_2022_federal_election

I think they should allow us to vote online.

Quote:

Vote early, vote often?

I honestly can't remember the last time I voted on election day.

For at least the last 15 years I've been voting early, in person.

In the last WA election, 55% of Sandgropers voted early.

In 2017, 222,218 Western Australians voted early in person.

In 2021, 585,234 Western Australians voted early in person.

Candidate Early and Candidate Offen - which way to vote?  Vote Early - Vote Offen?

freediver wrote on Oct 27^th, 2024 at 1:22pm:

I think they should allow us to vote online.

That'd be good for us out here in the bush

I’d be happy too vote online.

I’d be very happy if voting wasn’t compulsory!?!
   

Bias_2012 wrote on Oct 27^th, 2024 at 2:03pm:

freediver wrote on Oct 27th, 2024 at 1:22pm: I think they should allow us to vote online. That'd be good for us out here in the bush

Yes I suspect most would be on board.

I have early voted mostly when I have planned to not be in my electorate on the day. Mostly vote on the day otherwise.

Been caught a few times and had to vote out of area. Once it involved a boat trip to a riverside township of about 30 people.

freediver wrote on Oct 27^th, 2024 at 1:22pm:

I think they should allow us to vote online.

Are you confident, absolutely confident,
that a vote online could never be subject illegal manipulation ?

We trust the integrity of our transactions, when using our credit and debit cards.


But could a system be employed which could prevent illegal manipulation ?

e.g.
When all of the vote data is being collated,
by 'a small team' of individuals,
in 'a central location' ?

How could the integrity of the final collation, of all the votes be ensured and demonstrated ?

Quote:

Are you confident, absolutely confident, that a vote online could never be subject illegal manipulation ?

No more so than with paper votes.

I have more faith in Centrelink and the tax office addressing fraud now that they are online. I even do all my banking online.

p.s.
I always choose to early vote.      ......for convenience sake.

Because of my locale.

freediver wrote on Oct 27^th, 2024 at 10:24pm:

Quote: Are you confident, absolutely confident, that a vote online could never be subject illegal manipulation ? No more so than with paper votes. I have more faith in Centrelink and the tax office addressing fraud now that they are online. I even do all my banking online.

With paper votes, there are a lot more sets of eyes, in many different locations, doing the actual sorting.

THAT data [in diverse locations], is then collated, and the results are passed 'up the line'.

To state electoral officials, where the data is scrutinised again, before being recorded as correct ?



I'm just less trusting, if a much smaller group [in a central location],
is trusted, to do ALL of the scrutiny of ALL of the voting results.


Joseph Stalin is said to have quipped [even if it is wrongly attributed],

"Those who vote decide nothing.
Those who count the vote decide everything."


Isn't this quote a valid warning, if we live in a society, which tends, to no longer cherish personal integrity ?

Cheaters.

I went and voted early on opening day. After I went to a nearby pub to have some "chips & gravy", I met someone who I would term to be a mediocre "con artist". That con artist said that he knew one of the candidates "from way back". I decided to go and help another candidate campaign for his electorate. I did not vote for that candidate, with whom I campaigned.

When that same con artist walked by to talk to the other political candidate about knowing him, I had to point out to the political candidate that it was the guy who was the con artist. The political candidate said that he knows about that con artist.

I later learned that the entire Rockhampton regional political candidates were in agreement that this con artist had to be arrested. According to social media, the con artist has since been arrested.

I am not required to testify as a witness.

freediver wrote on Oct 27^th, 2024 at 1:22pm:

Early voting is becoming more popular. In the QLD state election, about 60% of the votes were early - either postal or in person. This is mostly due to an increase in the number of people doing in-person pre-poll votes. It seems to be slightly more popular in QLD than other states. Perhaps because of a higher proportion of people in the resources sector. Pre-poll votes also tend to favour the coalition. I think the polling day votes get counted first, so there tends to be a late swing to the coalition. https://antonygreen.com.au/early-voting-and-how-tonights-queensland-election-count-might-unfold/ https://antonygreen.com.au/5647-2/ https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Research/FlagPost/2022/May/Early_voting_at_the_2022_federal_election I think they should allow us to vote online.

At least in the south east, polling day was also during the V8 racing at Surfers Paradise.

I don't know how much of an impact that had, not as bad as doing it on say Grand Final weekend, but it will have some impact.

I voted on Thursday myself.