Early voting is an increasingly popular choice, with more than one quarter of voters having placed their vote ahead of election day in 2013. 

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) figures show 27 per cent of voters used pre-poll or postal vote options at the last election, a rise from just 18 per cent at the 2010 ballot. In NSW, that equated to more than 1 million of the state’s 4.5 million registered voters marking their ballot papers early. 

With the July 2 poll clashing with school holidays in a number of states, the number is expected to be even higher this time around.

Contrary to popular opinion, however, early voting is not an open-slather option, and the electoral commission is keen to reinforce the guidelines at pre-poll booths during this election. For the first time, voters will be asked whether they fit eligibility critieria, which includes that those who are travelling or live more than eight kilometres from a polling place. 

A list of pre-poll locations is available on the AEC website. Regional polling centres include: 485 Hunter Street, Newcastle; 4/45 Pearson Street, Charlestown; 1/10 Allandale Road, Cessnock; Cooranbong Community Services Hall, Freemans Drive; East Mailtand Church of Christ, corner of Garnett Road and Mitchell Drive; 3/77 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook; 6/270 Sandy Point Road, Salamander Bay.