At the Dubbo Regional Council election in September, residents had two weeks to vote before election day. More than 13,000 people pre-polled.

South Ward saw the highest number of pre-poll votes at 2975, while the lowest number was in Wellington Ward at 2337.

In total there were 11,439 people who pre-polled at the Dubbo Returning Office, 11 who voted early at the Sydney Town Hall and 1842 residents who pre-polled in Wellington.

However, at the recent Local Government NSW conference, a motion was passed calling for the NSW government to allow the pre-poll period to be cut to one week. Under the proposal, pre-polling would be open from Saturday to Friday of the week before the election.

Councillor Kevin Parker has given his support to the idea.

“It would save a lot of money for the state government in terms of election costs and would save a lot of time for the candidate in terms of standing on the street,” he said.

Pre-polling is available to those who are unable to make it to a polling booth on election day because they’re away, sick or working.

The idea to have the pre-poll was brought forward by Gunnedah Shire Council. Mayor Jamie Chaffey said it would help cut election costs.

“A shorter pre-polling period would also allow for candidates that may have full-time employment more opportunity to man the stations, as well as open candidacy up to more people who previously may not have stood for election due to time constraints,” he said.

“Our proposal would not disadvantage residents, as the two-week postal voting period would remain the same.”

During pre-polling returning officer for the Dubbo Regional Council election Fiona Prentice said the numbers she saw through the Macquarie Street centre were pretty much as she had expected.

LGNSW will now take the successful motion to the NSW Government.