ELECTION day is set to kick-off in Logan over the coming hours, as thousands of residents take to polling booths to have their say on who will lead Australia for the next three years.
Here is all you need to know about polling day, including where to vote, how the candidates will appear on your ballot paper and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
The information here refers to the electorates of Forde and Rankin. For residents in Wright, head on over to this piece from the Beaudesert Times.
Where to vote
The Jimboomba Times has compiled a list of polling booth locations in Jimboomba and surrounding areas. They include places like Yarrabilba State School, Park Ridge State School, the Beenleigh Showgrounds and St Francis College at Crestmead.
To see the full list of voting locations, read the story here.
Who are the candidates?
Rankin has six candidates. Here is how you can expect them to appear on your ballot paper.
- Paul Darwen (LNP)
- Neil Cotter (Greens)
- Jeff Crank (UAP)
- Glen Cookson (Pauline Hanson's One Nation)
- Suzanne Clarke (Animal Justice Party)
- Jim Chalmers (ALP)
Competition in Forde is much more fierce, with nine candidates on the ballot paper. Here is how you can expect them to appear.
- Roxanne O'Halloran (UAP)
- Bert van Manen (LNP)
- Jordan Hall (Greens)
- Samuel Holland (TNL)
- Rowan Holzberger (ALP)
- Seschelle Matterson (Pauline Hanson's One Nation)
- Tobby Sutherland (Liberal Democrats)
- Christopher Greaves (Independent)
- Linda McCarthy (Animal Justice Party)
Has pre-polling been popular?
Australian Electoral Commission data suggests pre-polling has been very popular in Rankin, with over 40 thousand people in the electorate casting their vote on or before Thursday, May 19.
This represents nearly 40 per cent of the electorate.
Pre-polling has also been popular in Forde, with nearly 24 thousand residents casting their vote early.
The odds
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been the bookmakers' favourite in the seat of Rankin, and is paying $1.01 to retain his seat.
LNP candidate Paul Darwen is paying $14, while One Nation's Glen Cookson and Greens candidate Neil Cotter are paying paying $51 each.
Chief Government Whip Bert van Manen is tipped to hold onto the seat of Forde, with bookmakers paying $1.10.
Labor candidate Rowan Holzberger is paying $6, while Jordan Hall of the Greens and Seschelle Matterson of One Nation are outsiders at $91 each
The key promises
The major parties have made several election commitments in Logan ahead of election day.
Labor have pledged $250,000 for the Park Ridge Pirates and several infrastructure upgrades in Logan, while the LNP have pledged support for sporting clubs and upgrades to the city's CCTV system.
You can read more about other promises made in Logan on our website.
Party visits
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Logan but opposition leader Anthony Albanese did not during the six-week election campaign.
However, members of the Labor shadow cabinet including Shadow Industrial Minister Tony Burke paid the city a visit.
What happens if I have COVID?
Anyone who tests positive to coronavirus is eligible to vote over the phone.
Only people who tested positive after 6pm last Friday (May 13) are able to access the service, according to the AEC.
People wishing to vote this way must register online and provide details of a positive RAT or PCR test.
Democracy sausages
An online crowdsource suggests the following polling booths across Rankin and Forde will be serving up democracy sausages.
- Chatswood Hills State School
- Daisy Hill State School
- Springwood Road State School
- Berrinba East State School
- Loganlea State High School
- Bethania Community Centre
- Logan Reserve State School
Weather forecast
The Weather Bureau is forecasting rain in Logan and a low of 15 degrees on election Saturday.
There is a 100 per cent chance of the region copping 15-30mm of rainfall.
Read more local news here
