12 Must-Know Dates & Deadlines for Voting in Tasmania 2025

Planning to vote in Tasmania's 2025 state election? Mark these 12 crucial dates in your calendar to ensure you don't miss any important deadlines for enrollment, postal voting, or early voting. Missing these deadlines could mean missing your chance to have your say on July 19.

1. Mon 23 Jun – Writs issued (election officially begins)

What This Means

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) issues the writs, officially starting the election campaign period. This formal declaration triggers a 26-day campaign period leading to polling day.

Key Changes from This Date

• Electoral advertising rules apply: All political advertising must include authorization details
• Campaign spending limits begin: Parties and candidates must track expenditure against legal limits
• Caretaker conventions start: Government avoids major policy announcements or appointments
• Media coverage intensifies: Broadcasters activate election coverage protocols

Action for voters: Start researching candidates and policies. This is when official candidate information becomes available.

2. Tue 24 Jun – Party nominations open

Nomination Process

Political parties and independent candidates begin submitting their nominations to contest the 35 House of Assembly seats across Tasmania's five electorates: Bass, Braddon, Clark, Franklin, and Lyons.

Candidate Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be Australian citizens aged 18 or over
• Enrollment: Must be enrolled to vote in Tasmania
• Nomination fee: $250 deposit (refunded if candidate receives 4% of first-preference votes)
• Nominators: Require 25 enrolled voters from their electorate to nominate them
• Disqualifications: Cannot hold certain offices or have recent bankruptcy/criminal convictions

What to watch: High-profile candidate announcements and surprise nominations often occur in the first few days.

3. Thu 26 Jun 18:00 – Voter enrolment closes

Critical Deadline Alert

This is the most important deadline for voters. You must be enrolled to vote by 6:00 PM on this date. After this time, no new enrollments or address changes will be accepted for the 2025 election.

How to Check and Update Your Enrollment

• Check online: Visit aec.gov.au/enrol to verify your details
• Update address: If you've moved, update your enrollment immediately
• First-time voters: 18-year-olds must enroll before this deadline
• Name changes: Update enrollment if you've changed your name since last voting

Common Enrollment Issues

Many Tasmanians discover enrollment problems too late. Common issues include:

• Moving house without updating address (affects 15% of voters annually)
• Young people not enrolling when they turn 18
• Name changes after marriage not reflected in enrollment
• Assuming enrollment automatically transfers between states

Pro tip: Even if you're unsure about your enrollment status, submit an update form before the deadline. It's better to be safe than sorry.

4. Fri 27 Jun – Early-voting centre list published by TEC

Early Voting Locations

The TEC publishes the complete list of 33 early voting locations across Tasmania, including operating hours and accessibility information.

Early Voting Centre Distribution

• Greater Hobart: 12 centres including Hobart CBD, Glenorchy, Kingston, and Sorell
• Launceston region: 8 centres covering Launceston, Prospect, and surrounding areas
• North-West Coast: 6 centres in Devonport, Burnie, Ulverstone, and Wynyard
• Regional areas: 7 centres in towns like St Helens, Queenstown, and Smithton

Mobile Polling Services

The TEC also announces mobile polling schedules for:

• Aged care facilities (visiting 45 facilities statewide)
• Remote communities on Bass Strait islands
• Hospital patients unable to travel
• Correctional facilities

5. Mon 30 Jun – Postal-vote applications open

Who Can Apply for Postal Voting

Postal voting is available for voters who cannot attend a polling place on election day or during early voting. Eligible reasons include:

• Travel: Being outside Tasmania on election day and early voting period
• Work commitments: Unable to attend due to employment obligations
• Physical disability: Mobility issues preventing polling place attendance
• Religious beliefs: Conscientious objection to attending on election day
• Pregnancy: Advanced pregnancy making travel difficult
• Caring responsibilities: Unable to leave someone in your care

Application Process

• Online application: Fastest method through TEC website
• Phone application: Call TEC on 1800 801 701
• Paper form: Download and mail application form
• In-person: Visit any TEC office

What You'll Receive

Postal vote packages include ballot papers, candidate information, voting instructions, and reply-paid envelopes. Packages are mailed 10-14 days before election day.

6. Wed 2 Jul 12:00 – Candidate nominations close

Final Candidate List

All candidate nominations must be submitted by noon. After this deadline, the final candidate list is confirmed and ballot papers can be designed and printed.

What Happens Next

• Candidate verification: TEC checks all nomination requirements are met
• Ballot design: Ballot papers are designed with confirmed candidates
• Draw for positions: Random draw determines candidate order on ballot papers
• Printing begins: Ballot papers are printed for all voting methods

Late Withdrawals

Candidates can withdraw after nominations close, but ballot papers may already be printed. Late withdrawals are noted on polling place notices.

7. Fri 4 Jul – Ballot order and party logos announced

Random Draw Process

The TEC conducts a public random draw to determine candidate order on ballot papers. This process ensures fairness and prevents any advantage from ballot position.

Party Logo Confirmation

• Registered logos: Major parties display their official logos
• Independent candidates: May use approved logos or appear without logos
• Group voting tickets: Senate-style above-the-line voting not used in Tasmania

Voter Education Materials

Sample ballot papers and voting guides become available, helping voters familiarize themselves with the ballot layout before election day.

8. Mon 7 Jul – Early voting opens across 33 locations

Early Voting Hours

• Weekdays: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Saturdays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Sundays: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (major centres only)
• Final day (July 17): Extended hours 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

What to Bring

• Photo ID (recommended): Speeds up the voting process
• Enrollment details: Know your enrolled address
• Reason for early voting: Must provide valid reason (work, travel, etc.)

Early Voting Process

1. Join the queue at your chosen early voting centre
2. Provide your details to electoral staff
3. Explain your reason for voting early
4. Receive your ballot papers
5. Vote in the private voting booth
6. Place completed ballots in the ballot box

Accessibility: All early voting centres provide wheelchair access, magnifying glasses, and assistance for voters with disabilities.

9. Tue 15 Jul 17:00 – Last day to apply for a postal vote

Final Deadline Warning

This is your last chance to apply for a postal vote. Applications received after 5:00 PM will not be processed, and postal vote packages cannot be issued.

Emergency Postal Voting

In exceptional circumstances (sudden illness, unexpected travel), emergency postal voting may be available until 6:00 PM on election day, but this requires special approval and documentation.

Alternative Options

If you miss the postal vote deadline:

• Vote early at any early voting centre (until July 17)
• Vote on election day at any polling place in Tasmania
• If interstate, vote at any polling place in Australia

10. Thu 17 Jul – Final late-night early-vote session (08:00–20:00)

Extended Hours

The last day of early voting features extended hours from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at major early voting centres in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie.

Expect Crowds

• Peak times: 12:00-2:00 PM and 5:00-7:00 PM
• Quieter periods: Early morning (8:00-10:00 AM) and late evening (7:00-8:00 PM)
• Wait times: Can exceed 30 minutes during peak periods

Last-Minute Preparation

Use this final opportunity to:

• Research candidates if you haven't already
• Review sample ballot papers
• Plan your voting preferences
• Bring entertainment for potential queues

11. Sat 19 Jul 08:00–18:00 – Polling Day statewide

Election Day Logistics

The main event: All 280+ polling places across Tasmania open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM sharp. You must be in the queue by 6:00 PM to vote.

Where to Vote

• Your designated polling place: Check your enrollment notice or TEC website
• Any polling place in your electorate: Vote normally
• Outside your electorate: Cast a declaration vote (counted later)
• Interstate: Vote at any polling place in Australia

What to Expect

• Queue times: Typically 5-15 minutes, longer at popular locations
• Ballot papers: One green ballot for House of Assembly (preferential voting)
• Voting booth: Private booth with pencil provided
• Assistance available: Electoral staff can help if needed

Election Day Atmosphere

Polling places often feature:

• Democracy sausages and cake stalls (fundraising for local groups)
• How-to-vote cards from party volunteers (outside the polling place)
• Community atmosphere with neighbors catching up
• Media presence at key locations

12. Tue 22 Jul 18:00 – Postal votes must arrive at TEC to count

Final Postal Vote Deadline

Postal votes must be received by the TEC by 6:00 PM to be included in the count. Votes postmarked by election day but arriving after this deadline will not be counted.

Postal Vote Return Options

• Reply-paid post: Use the provided envelope (allow 3-5 business days)
• Hand delivery: Drop off at any TEC office before 6:00 PM Tuesday
• Polling place return: Return to any polling place on election day

Tracking Your Postal Vote

The TEC provides online tracking so you can confirm your postal vote has been received and will be counted in the election results.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Published 15 January 2025. Dates confirmed with the Tasmanian Electoral Commission. Get more election information in our complete Tasmania 2025 guide.