Quarter of Tamworth casts early votes

The extraordinary figures have been replicated across the state, with early-voter numbers rising with each state and federal election.

At Tamworth’s pre-poll centre, 10,500 electors had come through the doors as of yesterday afternoon to cast their vote, and 2500 people had voted at the Gunnedah pre-polling centre – equalling about 23 per cent of enrolled voters in the electorate.

In Barwon, at least 13 per cent of electors voted early, with more than 7000 people visiting pre-poll centres spread from Broken Hill to Narrabri and Bourke to Walgett. 

About 12,000 electors enrolled in the Northern Tablelands cast their votes before today at pre-poll centres.

This equates to about 21 per cent of all enrolled voters in the electorate.

Armidale’s pre-polling centre was busy with large numbers of absentee pre-poll voters yesterday. 

University of New England graduation ceremonies slated for this weekend attracted many visitors from outside of the electorate.

Statewide, the election result appears to be in the Coalition’s favour; locally, things may be a little closer.

Betting agencies were showing some interesting odds yesterday afternoon, particularly in the seat of Tamworth, and many were of the opinion a result wouldn’t be known tonight. 

One of the nation’s major betting agencies had The Nationals’ Kevin Anderson at $1.60 and independent Peter Draper at $2.20, after the pair were neck-and-neck late on Thursday night.

In Barwon, Kevin Humphries was at $1.15 to independent Rohan Boehm’s $5, while on the Northern Tablelands The Nationals’ Adam Marshall was at the almost unbackable odds of $1 to Labor’s Debra O’Brien’s $13, the next-closest candidate.

Visit www.vote.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 135 736 for polling booth information.

Polling places will open at 8am and close at 6pm sharp.

* Turn to pages 14 and 15 of today's Leader for a snapshot of each of the region’s electorates.