THIS time tomorrow, the booths will have opened.
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How to vote pamphlets will be tossed around as volunteers grab at one last chance to influence passersby, and the mammoth eight-week federal campaign will come to a close.
Candidates Angus Taylor (Liberal), Aoife Champion (Labor), Michaela Sherwood (The Greens), Adrian Van Der Byl (Christian Democrats), Lindsay Cosgrove (Citizens Electoral Council) and Trevor Anthoney (Bullet Train for Australia Party) are vying for Hume.
For Luke Drinkwater, 19, it’s his first time voting.
He told the Post he was eager to have his say, so much so that he will line up at Goulburn High School to be the first voter through the doors.
“I’m looking forward to it quite a bit,” he said.
“I’ve had an interest in politics for quite a while, wanting to get involved, and now that I can vote I’m pretty excited. I think there are quite a few young people taking an interest in it but there are also a lot of people who aren’t enrolled to vote so there is a bit of a split.”
He said his initial interest in politics came from his parents but was cemented when, in Year 10, he did work experience in Parliament House.
The former Trinity Catholic College student now studies economics and international relations at the Australian National University in Canberra.
He said education was his main concern when voting.
“I’m quite concerned with university education, and that’s probably the main one, with the $100,000 degrees you keep hearing about. The job opportunities afterwards is another thing,” Luke said.
“I think uni should be quite accessible for everyone. I’ve only been there one semester but it’s had a big impact on me already.”
Mr Drinkwater said it was important voters stay informed.
“Have a look at the news and try and get an understanding from both sides of whatever issue you are looking at. Learn to read news and unpack issues and look at what is important to you.
“Politics has a big impact on your life. I talked about university for me, but for everyone there is an issue that would impact them and it’s just good to be able to have your say.”
Another young voter, Gussy Mutton (also 19), said while voting was commonly seen as a “burden”, she was excited to see the results.
“The things I’m most concerned about is seeing if all the propaganda on TV and in the newspapers works, and everyone votes Liberal just because it’s being shoved in their faces,” she said.
Ms Mutton said informal voting made her nervous and that the key to avoiding dud votes was to make it non-compulsory.
“I am a bit nervous to see the amount of people that don’t vote and the impact that has. It shouldn’t be compulsory if we have that many people who don’t know things other than what the media wants them to see.
“Also, the amount of people that do donkey votes - it makes a huge difference and I don’t think they realise.”
Ms Mutton said a hung parliament would be the best result in her eyes.
“I am actually hoping for a hung parliament where Greens and Labor have to form government, so something can be done about the environment and gay marriage and helping refugees and actual issues,” she said.
“People vote Liberal to “help jobs and growth” and promote small business, but if they actually listen to the policies that the Liberal party promote they will realise that unless they’re a huge millionaire business owner that wants to dodge tax, there’s nothing in it for them.
“Without the environment being saved there will be no world for us to have jobs in or even worry about the economy, so I think people need to start putting the more important issues first, rather than burying it under the rug.” Facebook user Zoe Clack said she found the process confusing.
“I’m just confused by it all. I don’t follow nothing about it or understand their crap so I have zero idea what I’m doing when I go in there to vote,” she said.