00:00As staff opened the early voting centre in the city, there was already a gaggle of electors,
00:08many of whom had plans for election day.
00:11I'm voting early because I won't be here because it's my birthday weekend, so I'll be away
00:14celebrating.
00:15I didn't want to queue up.
00:18Mainly because on Saturdays I prefer to sleep.
00:22At the 2020 election, 70% of voters cast an early ballot, and the ACT Electoral Commission
00:29expects a similar early turnout this year.
00:32Electronic voting also remains prominent, with voters given QR-coded cards to scan at
00:37the booth.
00:38Our electronic voting system doesn't allow you to put ticks or crosses, it doesn't allow
00:42you to skip a number or repeat a number.
00:44It does, however, allow you to issue a blank informal ballot if you choose, and that is
00:50the elector's right to do so.
00:52Because ACT is also offering neurodiverse low-sensory voting, with booths spaced out
00:58far from the madding crowd.
01:00It's about giving an opportunity to those who require particular services or conditions
01:05in which to cast their vote in which they feel most comfortable.
01:08The Chief Minister joined the pre-polling queue with family, acknowledging it could
01:12take more than faith in the force to form government.
01:15We are very clear in our campaigning that we are also after preferences in addition
01:21to number one votes, and that is an important part of Hair Clark campaigning.
01:27Even so, the Independence for Canberra party say they want no part in a coalition, instead
01:32looking to Independent Senator David Pocock for inspiration if any of their candidates
01:37end up on the crossbench.
01:39People are impressed with his performance and how he moves amendments that improve legislation.
01:43He's not there to obstruct things, but to apply pressure to encourage the government
01:47to act on the things that they haven't been acting on.
01:50Sensory voting places will be open Monday to Saturday in the lead up to election day.
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