More Australians are voting early than in previous elections, with over 4.03 million people already casting their ballots, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.
This marks a significant increase compared to the 3.2 million early votes recorded in the 2022 election.
Additionally, 2.6 million people have applied for postal ballots ahead of the May 3 election, with applications closing at 6pm on Wednesday.
Experts suggest the surge in early and postal voting reflects a changing trend in voter behavior rather than simply an attempt to avoid long queues.
Rodney Smith, a professor of Australian politics at the University of Sydney, said the shift is largely driven by voters wanting flexibility to match their work and personal schedules.
