Record Early Vote as Polling Day Arrives

Media release – Tasmanian Electoral Commission, 19 July 2025

Polling places open for Tasmanians to have their say

At 256 polling places across the state today, Tasmanians are turning out to cast their vote in the 2025 State election.

Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey has urged voters to take care as they head to the polls.

“With poor weather forecast across much of the state, and sunset before polls close, I encourage people to vote earlier in the day if they can,” Mr Hawkey said.

Voters attending major events today are also encouraged to plan ahead and vote before they go. Queues are likely at polling places near venues such as UTAS Stadium in Launceston, which is hosting an AFL match.

Early voting hits new high

By the end of the early voting period at 6 pm last night, a record 132,493 Tasmanians had already cast their vote — 32% of the total enrolment for this election. In 2024 this figure was 108,529.

Voting in person at a pre-poll centre was the most preferred option, with 101,082 ballot papers issued across 15 locations. A breakdown by division is as follows:

Bass: 17,255
Braddon: 23,123
Clark: 19,450
Franklin: 21,405
Lyons: 19,849

Almost 7,000 votes have been received from interstate and overseas electors, and electors with a print disability, using the telephone voting service. This option is still available for eligible electors until 6 pm tonight.

Of the 30,545 postal ballot packs issued for this election, approximately 80% have already been returned.

Counting commences at 6 pm tonight

Once polls close, election staff will begin counting first-preference votes. Early figures from polling places will start appearing in the tally room and on the TEC website from around 6:45 pm.

Counting will also take place tonight at nine pre-poll centres, with the remaining six to be counted tomorrow.

The tally room opens to the public at 6 pm and is expected to close around 11 pm.

Thank you to our hard-working election teams

Approximately 1,900 staff from across Tasmania have been employed to support this election; working in polling places, election offices, call centres, and other essential roles.

The Electoral Commissioner thanks all staff for their dedication and their contribution to Tasmanian democracy.

Tasmanian Times will be doing vox pops from the Tally Room this evening as the count takes place.