AECMedia

Farrer by-election
Stats, resources & final messages ahead of Saturday

Updated: 7 May 2026

Key information & statistics:

  • Approximately 36,000 people have voted at an early voting centre so far. This compares to 34,000 for Farrer at the same stage of the 2025 federal election.
  • Eleven early voting centres remain available across Farrer today and tomorrow.  Check locations & opening hours.
  • Around 16,000 people have applied for a postal vote with postal vote applications now closed. This compares to 13,313 for Farrer at the 2025 federal election.
  • Approximately 9,000 completed postal votes have been received back by the AEC so far.
  • Postal voters have until the close of polling on Saturday to complete their postal vote. Postal votes have up to 13 days to arrive back at the AEC after voting day, but voters are encouraged to return them as soon as possible to avoid the risk of mailing delays.
  • More than 900 votes have been cast with mobile voting teams.
  • Approximately 700 temporary staff will be working for the AEC on by-election.
  • There are twelve candidates at the by-election, an increase from the nine candidates who ran at the 2025 federal election.
  • Unlike NSW state elections, voters are required to number every box in order of their preference.
  • While a result could be predicted by some people on the night based on early results coming through the AEC’s tally room, there is a chance it could take weeks for a result to be determined.
  • Results will be updated on the AEC’s online Tally Room after polls close at 6pm on Saturday.
  • All votes cast on Saturday will be counted that night as well as the majority of pre-poll votes cast. Some postal votes will be counted on by-election night as well but the postal vote count will be an ongoing process throughout the two weeks following by-election night.

AEC TV – Farrer by-election videos:

         

Quotes:

 - Attributable to AEC State Manager for NSW Rebecca Main

“If you haven’t voted yet, now is the time to plan.”

“Remember, voting in the by-election is compulsory for the 124,000 people enrolled in Farrer.”

“Postal votes need to be completed by 6pm on Saturday, so please don’t delay.”

“This by-election is hotly contested and while passion for your candidate or cause is appropriate, it is important for everyone to be respectful of one another.”

“Our staff are everyday members of the community assisting voters and delivering a democratic process.”

“Australia has a proud history of peaceful federal elections and by-elections. Most campaigners and voters understand this and behave respectfully."

“Our polling officials will be reminding voters of how to cast a formal vote when they give them their ballot paper, it is written on the ballot paper itself as well and we have reminders stuck to each voting screen – but ultimately it is up to each voter to make sure they follow the voting instructions.”

“It would be incredibly disappointing for someone to go to all the effort of attending a polling place only to not have their voice heard.”

“Whether or not a clear indication of a result is available on the night depends entirely on how close the margin is or how complicated the count may be.”

“Recent elections have seen less predictability in preferences and a greater spread of first preference votes cast – with a large field of candidates this by-election the count could be complex.”

Media attendance at AEC venues:

Media representatives must inform the AEC of your intentions to attend a voting venue or risk being turned away.

Please refer to the guidelines.

Further resources:

map of farrer division