21 August 2008

Lyne electors unable to vote on election day Saturday 6 September 2008 are now able to have their say in the Lyne by-election.
The Divisional Returning Officer for Lyne, Ms Vicki Holman, said electors who are eligible for an early vote can vote now at either an early voting centre or by post.

Electors are eligible for an early vote if they -

• are more than 8km from a polling place;
• are approaching childbirth;
• have a serious illness or care for someone who is ill;
• have religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling place on election day; or
• are working or travelling on election day.

People who were going to be outside the Lyne electorate on election day should also vote now at an early voting centre or by post, as there will be no polling places open outside the electorate on election day*.

Early voting centres are now open and will operate until 6pm, Friday 5 September 2008. The early voting centres are located at:

Location/Address	Operating Dates	Opening Hours
Shop 3, 17 Short St PORT MACQUARIE	25 – 27 August  28 August 29 August 30 August 1 – 3 September 4 September 5 September	8.30am – 5.30pm 8.30am – 8.00pm 8.30am – 5.30pm 9.00am – 4.00pm 8.30am – 5.30pm 8.30am – 8.00pm 8.30am – 6.00pm
139 Victoria St TAREE

Operating dates and opening hours are the same for both locations. There are no voting facilities available at the early voting centres listed above for the NSW Local Council Elections being held on Saturday 13 September 2008.

“Alternatively you can vote before election day at any AEC divisional office around Australia or by applying for a postal vote.”
In the areas surrounding the Lyne electorate there are AEC offices located in West Kempsey, Armidale and East Maitland. For more information on where to find your closest AEC office visit www.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.

Ms Holmansaid postal vote application forms are available from the AEC website www.aec.gov.au or at any AEC office or Australia Post outlet in the Lyne electorate. 

“Once the AEC receives the application form, the postal voting materials are mailed to the elector. Electors registered as a General Postal Voter do not need to apply, as their ballot papers will be automatically sent.”

“All postal voters must ensure their completed ballot papers are back in the mail to the AEC, or hand delivered to an AEC office before election day, Saturday 6 September 2008,” she said.

Election day for the federal division of Lyne House of Representatives by-election is Saturday 6 September 2008.  Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 years and over and enrolled in the electorate of Lyne. 

For more information on the Lyne by-election visit www.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.

* One exception applies: voting on election day will be available at the AEC divisional office for the electorate of Mayo (SA), due to the fact that a by-election will occur there on the same day.

Contact:
Vicki Holman
Divisional Returning Officer for Lyne
Ph: 02 6552 1490
Fax: 02 6551 0158