At a time when planning travel is important to all Australians, the AEC is reminding voters in Farrer to also plan their vote ahead of early voting centres opening next Tuesday.
AEC State Manager for NSW Rebecca Main said that while there are plenty of voting options available throughout the early voting period and on polling day, careful planning would allow voters to combine their requirement to vote with other activities they need to do over the next couple of weeks.
"We're conscious that all Australians – particularly in regional areas - are thinking of ways to conserve fuel at the moment.
"If you can't vote on polling day and need to vote early, then voting could coincide with a trip to do the weekly shopping, to a sporting event or whatever activity is getting you on the road soon, then that'd help you out just that little bit extra."
"We're strongly encouraging people to look at their voting options and plan now."
Option 1: Voting on by-election day (Saturday 9 May)
There will be 74 polling places open on by-election day – many in small regional localities that allow people to minimise the need to travel.
"There are many small communities - including towns like Blighty where we expect around 130 votes cast – that will have a polling place open on by-election day."
"For many, that means no extra travel and should be the first consideration."
Find a polling place now.
Option 2: Early voting centres
There will be eleven early voting centres set to operate across Farrer leading up to by-election day on Saturday 9 May, with six of them open from Tuesday.
"If you're busy on by-election day - or if voting on that day requires a long drive that is dedicated solely to getting to a polling place - then think about whether voting early is a better option," Ms Main said.
"When you live regionally, you're used to combining the to-do list for a trip into town – think about what's coming up over the next couple of weeks and, if it's appropriate, add voting to that list."
List of early voting centres (also available below)
Early voting centres:
* Check the website for full opening dates and times
- Albury: Wool Stores - 567 Smollett St
- First open on Tuesday 28 April
- Barooga: Barooga Community Hall - Banker St
- First open on Tuesday 28 April
- Buronga: Midway Community Centre - 6 Midway Dr
- First open on Saturday 2 May
- Corowa: Oddfellows Hall - 231 Sanger St
- First open on Saturday 2 May
- Deniliquin: Deniliquin Army Cadet Unit - 306-308 Victoria Street
- First open on Saturday 2 May
- Echuca: St Mary's Parish Centre -222-230 Anstruther St
- First open on Tuesday 28 April
- Griffith: Griffith Aboriginal Community Centre - Wiradjuri Pl
- First open on Tuesday 28 April
- Leeton: Leeton Council Chambers - 23-25 Chelmsford Pl
- First open on Saturday 2 May
- Mulwala: Mulwala Civic Centre - 71 Melbourne St
- First open on Tuesday 28 April
- Narrandera: Emergency Operations Centre - 17-21 Twynam St
- First open on Saturday 2 May
- North Albury: Albury Masonic Centre - 336 Gulpha St
- First open on Tuesday 28 April
*Early voting centres are NOT OPEN on Monday 27 April (ANZAC Day p/h) or Sunday 3 May.
Option 3: Apply for a postal vote
If you can't make it to a voting centre, including if the travel required to do so is prohibitive, then you can apply for a postal vote .
"Postal voting is a good option available to people in regional areas – and particularly in times when we're all looking to save on fuel - but it must be actioned ASAP," Ms Main said.
While applications for postal votes can be lodged with the AEC until 6pm AEST on Wednesday 6 May, it can be difficult to deliver ballot papers to some locations in time if they are received too close to the cut-off date.
"If you need a postal vote, please don't delay."
So far, around 13,000 postal vote applications have been received for the by-election. This compares to 13,313 postal votes applications received by Farrer voters in the 2025 federal election.
Option 4: Mobile voting teams
AEC mobile voting teams will also be visiting a range of residential care facilities and some remote communities for this by-election.
"Mobile teams visit locations where there are people with specific needs or where other voting services can be difficult to access," Ms Main said.
Check the mobile voting schedule
AEC TV video: Voting options in Farrer
Considerations in a changing environment
The impact of the cost and availability of fuel continues to change rapidly. Ms Main said that the AEC's services and communication to voters during the by-election consider the National Fuel Security Plan.
"Our efforts to encourage early planning for people to participate in the by-election is designed with the current situation in mind," Ms Main said.
"We'll monitor the environment closely and continue to communicate with voters, so they are supported to have their say and exercise their civic duty by voting in this by-election."
Media resources:
- AEC Newsroom
- AEC YouTube (AECTV)
- AEC imagery (AEC Flickr)
- Map of Farrer (below)
