Voting at Aussie Airports ??

[vetrade]

Info from the AEC website is that postal vote forms can't be delivered until early September which is well after our departure to OS. There is further info that pre-polling day voting will be available at some Aussie airports and a note that further info will be available about this closer to polling day - which might not be much use to anyone departing soon.

Can anyone who has previously voted at an airport (espec. MEL) before flying OS enlighten me as to whether the experience was satisfactory - was the process efficient or did it turn out to be too much trouble or time consuming to be bothered with? I already know the options regarding voting OS etc. so only need advice specifically about voting at airports.

 

[Fifa]

Current info on the AEC website:

Ways to vote

In person

You can vote in person at an early voting centre or any AEC divisional office in the weeks leading to the election. Early voting will be available from 20 August 2013.


By post

Apply for a postal vote
Postal vote applications can be submitted up until Thursday 5 September 2013.
The AEC will send ballot papers as soon as possible after candidate nominations close, on Thursday 15 August 2013.

 

[vetrade]

Current info on the AEC website:

Ways to vote

In person

You can vote in person at an early voting centre or any AEC divisional office in the weeks leading to the election. Early voting will be available from 20 August 2013.


By post

Apply for a postal vote
Postal vote applications can be submitted up until Thursday 5 September 2013.
The AEC will send ballot papers as soon as possible after candidate nominations close, on Thursday 15 August 2013.

Thanks Fifa but my problem is that we are leaving on 15th August which is before early voting is available and the AEC says the earliest they can deliver ballot papers for a postal vote is early September. I'm guessing the airport voting option might not be open by the 15th too so, as much as I like my democratic entitlement to vote, I think I will just have to trust my fellow citizens to make a good choice without me.

 

[Fifa]

I had your same problem a few years ago and my fellow citizens made the wrong choice!
This time I'll be able submit a postal vote before we fly out.

 

[Rallo]

This is from the AEC website
http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/pdf/forms/overseas/er022nw-0513.pdf

 

[Major]

This is the timetable for the election

Announcement of election	Sunday 4 August 2013
Issue of writ	Monday 5 August 2013
Close of rolls	8pm Monday 12 August 2013
Bulk close of candidate nominations (House of Representatives)	12 midday Tuesday 13 August 2013
Close of candidate nominations	12 midday Thursday 15 August 2013
Declaration of candidate nominations	12 midday Friday 16 August 2013
Close of postal vote applications	6pm Thursday 5 September 2013
Election day	Saturday 7 September 2013
Return of writs (latest date)	Wednesday 13 November 2013

You can still apply for a postal vote up until the 5th Sep

 

[vetrade]

You can still apply for a postal vote up until the 5th Sep

But we'll be long gone before the AEC can get the ballot forms back to us.

 

[Simsy85]

Go to the Australian Embassy when you land, vote there.

 

[Austman]

Thanks Fifa but my problem is that we are leaving on 15th August which is before early voting is available and the AEC says the earliest they can deliver ballot papers for a postal vote is early September. I'm guessing the airport voting option might not be open by the 15th too so, as much as I like my democratic entitlement to vote, I think I will just have to trust my fellow citizens to make a good choice without me.

I've voted at the airport and it was straight forward and quick enough. Remember it's land-side! And I suspect you are right that the airport will be one of the early voting centres that opens on August 20th.