US-born Grace Williams voted in an Australian election for the first time today. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A steady trickle of residents have been making their way to polling booths on ACT election day, where several P&C Committees have taken the opportunity to raise funds for their schools.
At Red Hill Primary school, Liberals leader and Kurrajong MLA Elizabeth Lee voted with her husband and children just before 9 am.
“It is now in the hands of Canberrans. Let’s vote for a fresh opportunity for Canberra,” she said.
There was also a lot of support for her in the traditionally Liberal suburb.
“I just think 23 years is long enough and I really like the idea of a female leader for the ACT,” public servant Liz North said, after casting her ballot this morning.
The young mother says she was not at all deterred by the drama during the week, when Ms Lee apologised after being caught on camera raising her middle finger at Region journalist Ian Bushnell.
“I felt it humanised her and made her more relatable,” Ms North said.
“I think we’re all human to be honest, I think we’ve all felt that way at some stage and she was just a bit unlucky.”
Liz North casts her ballot with daughter Charlotte. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
US-born Grace Williams was also at Red Hill primary, voting for the first time at an Australian election after recently becoming a citizen.
“The election here in Canberra is nothing like Trump v Harris in America. It’s a lot more tame and polite. The behaviour of the candidates is very different here, they’re not as aggressive,” she said.
Ms Williams was tight-lipped about who she was supporting at the two elections.
“In America, we don’t talk about whom we vote for,” she said.
There were no queues in the morning at the Red Hill booth, with all voters able to move in and out quickly.
“I’ve noticed a distinct difference since Covid, pre-Covid we never had a polling booth that hadn’t had a queue at this time on election day. But since Covid, a lot more people pre-poll. I hope we just have a trickle all day,” ACT electoral commission official Kate D’Arcy said.
The local P&C Committee took the opportunity to raise funds by selling cakes and cupcakes.
“We are putting a water station in for public use down on the Voyager Park ovals, the school is fundraising for that,” mum Jenny Haling said.
Josie, Heidi and Jenny Haling raising money for their school by selling cupcakes. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Only about half of ACT residents are expected to cast their vote on election day itself, with around 40 per cent voting at pre-polling booths. This included Independents for Canberra Kurrajong candidate Thomas Emerson, who voted in Dickson on Friday.
“I’m proud of the campaign we’ve run and that we’ve been able to work together to provide Canberrans in every electorate with compelling independent options. We’re excited to see how our broader community responds to the approach we’ve taken. Like many Canberrans, I’m looking forward to finding out how much the desire for independent MLAs that we’re hearing about on the ground translates at the ballot box,” he said.
Independents for Canberra Kurrajong candidate Thomas Emerson voted on Friday. Photo: Supplied.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr was at North Ainslie primary school polling booth this morning, where he started the day with an egg and bacon roll.
“Canberra’s a great place to live. And Labor will keep delivering more progressive and practical policies to keep it that way,” he posted on Facebook.
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury was at Exhibition Park today, making his last pitch to voters.
“This election, vote for 10,000 public houses,” he said on an Instagram video.
Polling booths across the ACT are open until 6 pm. Find the closest one to you on the ACT electoral commission website. Follow Region from 6 pm today for our rolling coverage of the results as they come in.
Loading ...
