October 26, 2024

Polls are open across the Sunshine State for the Queensland election.

After four weeks of shaking hands and trading barbs, holding babies and pouring beers, both leaders will cast their own vote today as their final task on the campaign trail.

Then it’s time for Steven Miles and David Crisafulli to sit back and wait to find out how Queensland has voted.

Have your say as Queensland goes to the polls

How the race stands

Successive polls have pointed towards an LNP victory, however, the race has tightened in the final week of the campaign, with a late surge in Miles’ popularity helping him close the gap on Crisafulli.

Labor has been in government for almost a decade, since former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk shot to power in 2015, turfing the one-term LNP government led by Campbell Newman.

To form majority government, either party will need to win 47 seats.

As it stands, Labor holds 51 seats and the LNP holds 35.

Katter’s Australian Party holds four seats in the state’s north, and is looking to pick up more.

The Greens hold two seats in inner-city Brisbane, and are looking to expand their reach into the outer-fringe.

The only independent Queensland MP is Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.

How can I watch?

Live coverage of Queensland Decides starts at 5pm AEST tonight on Channel 9 in Queensland and 9Now.

Andrew Lofthouse and Melissa Downes will be joined on the panel by Nine political editor Charles Croucher and Queensland state political editor Tim Arvier, former Labor MP Kate Jones, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, former LNP leader Deb Frecklington and shadow sport minister Tim Mander.

You can also follow live updates at 9news.com.au via our blog, which will go live later today.

When will we know the winner?

Polls close at 6pm AEST and counting gets underway.

The official count takes up to 10 days to allow for the return of postal votes, but usually analysts will call it on the night.

The losing party leader will ordinarily call their rival to concede and both give televised speeches.

Nine’s live coverage will continue both on-air and online until both leaders have spoken.

How to vote in the Queensland election

Voters can turn up to a polling booth between 8am and 6pm today. You don’t need to bring identification.

Queensland has compulsory preferential voting.

This means you must number all boxes in order of your preference for your vote to be counted.

You’ll likely be given “how to vote” cards by volunteers representing political parties.

You don’t have to follow these cards and can vote for whomever you wish.

Where to vote in the Queensland election

Polling places are usually at local schools, churches and community halls.

You can find your nearest polling booth here.

Postal voting applications are now closed. Completed postal votes must be received by the Electorial Commission by 6pm on Tuesday, November 5.

What happens if I don’t vote?

Voting is compulsory for eligible citizens, aged 18 or older.

Records are checked after the election and if you didn’t vote you’ll receive a failure to vote notice.

If you can’t prove you voted or give a valid reason for why not, you’ll receive a fine.

The current penalty is $161.30.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

links to content on ABC

9News 

Read More 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *