SATURDAY’S election will see around 18 million Australians head to the polls across the country to decide the results of the 2025 Federal election.
It will be Australia’s largest election in history, with more than 700,000 joining the electoral roll since 2022.
In the division of Mallee, 121,662 people are enrolled to vote.
In Farrer, there are 123,827 enrolled voters.
Across the country, over 98 per cent of eligible voters are registered, with compulsory voting a unique feature of Australian democracy.
Another unique feature of Australian democracy is preferential voting.
Preferential voting ensures your vote can never be wasted, unlike in other major western democracies.
For the house of representatives, Mallee voters are required to number candidates from one to eight in order of preference.
If the candidate you place at number one receives the lowest number of votes, your vote flows to the candidate you numbered second, and so forth until your vote is attributed.
This system means voters can not only vote for who they want most, but also who they want least.
Voters are not required to follow a single party’s how-to-vote card and can determine their own flow of preferences.
Similarly, in the senate, your vote will always flow on to your next preference until it is counted.
If voting above the line, you are required to number six boxes, if voting below the line for individual candidates you are required to number at least 12.
Barry Bishop, who is Swan Hill born and raised, was a member of Victorian Parliament for 15 years.
“There are many, many countries in the world that don’t allow people to vote,” Mr Bishop said.
“In Australia, we are extremely lucky that your vote counts – so make it count.”
WHEN?
Polling centres are open from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, May 3.
WHERE?
Important: You can only vote in the state where you are enrolled.
For example: If you are enrolled to vote at an address in Koondrook, but live in Barham, you must go to a polling centre in Victoria.
If you are enrolled in Tooleybuc, but live in Swan Hill, you must go to NSW.
MALLEE
Kerang Memorial Hall
Kerang Technical High School
Lake Charm Mechanics Hall
Barook Senior Citizens
Murrabit Group School
Cohuna Memorial Hall
Leitchville Primary School
Pyramid Hill College
Lake Boga Community Centre
Quambatook Memorial Hall
Swan Hill Anglican Centre
Swan Hill Primary School
Woorinen District Primary School
Beverford District Primary School
Nyah District Hall
Nyah District Primary School
Piangil Community Centre
Sea Lake Uniting Church Hall
Manangatang Public Hall
Robinvale Community Arts Centre
Donald Senior Citizens Centre
FARRER
Moulamein Public School
Wakool Burraboi Public School
Murray Downs Fire Brigade
Balranald Central School
Koraleigh Public Hall
Riverside Reception Centre, Barham
Tooleybuc Central School
Euston Public School
For locations and more information, visit: aec.gov.au
DEMOCRACY SAUSAGE?
If you’re chasing a snag after you vote, head to the Swan Hill Anglican Centre.
The parish is running a sausage sizzle to provide funding for outreach and care of the local community.
