More than 100,000 Tasmanians have already cast their votes ahead of Saturday’s state election, significantly surpassing early voting figures from the previous election.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission says 101,074 early votes have been lodged through pre-poll centres, postal votes and phone voting, compared with just over 74,000 for the same period in 2021.
The highest early turnout so far has been recorded in Braddon with 21,355 votes, closely followed by Franklin with 21,168 and Lyons with 20,595.
The TEC urged remaining voters to consider timing their visit to polling places carefully.
“With inclement weather expected on Saturday and sunset before polls close, we urge voters to travel safely and vote early in the day if possible,” they said.
Tasmanians can vote at any of the 256 polling places across the state between 8 am and 6 pm on Saturday, regardless of their registered division.
The TEC has reminded candidates and campaigners that Tasmania’s ‘quiet polling’ rules remain in effect, prohibiting canvassing within 100 metres of polling places and banning distribution of electoral material on polling day.
First results are expected from around 6:45 pm on Saturday, with the TEC hosting a public tally room at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart from 6 pm – where Pulse Tasmania election analyst Kevin Bonham will be live blogging from.
Due to the significant increase in pre-poll voting, only nine of the 15 pre-poll centres will be counted on Saturday night, with the remaining six counted on Sunday.
Following recent legislative changes, postal votes will not be counted on Saturday night.
Party leaders are scheduled to address the tally room around 9:30 pm, with the event expected to conclude by 11 pm.
Polling place locations are available on the TEC website.
