Geraldton & Carnarvon early polls open as major players head to the booths to campaign

Early State election polling has kicked off for the Mid West and Geraldton seats, with an exit poll on the first morning indicating Labor has had a strong start in Geraldton. An array of colours were spotted outside Sanford Plaza, with the majority of candidates attending on opening day to provide last-minute advice for voters. On Monday, 985 people filed through the early voting centre to cast their ballot, while 112 did the same for the Mid-West early voting centre in Carnarvon. Labor incumbent Lara Dalton said her third election campaign opening day had been the busiest. “I think people are way more aware that they can early vote, whereas last time, it was a newer thing and you had to have a good reason to be early voting,” she said. “So people traditionally have always stayed away. I think it does feel a little bit busy today, and it will get busier as people realise that there’s early voting. “By the end of the week, I’m sure we’re going to be flat out.” The Geraldton Guardian anonymously polled more than 50 people on their way out from voting on Monday, and 45 per cent of people surveyed indicated they had voted for Labor, while the Nationals (28 per cent) and the Liberals (21 per cent) rounded out the top three. About 4 per cent of those surveyed placed independent Shane Van Styn as their top choice. Mr Van Styn said the turnout on the first day of early voting indicated many people had made up their mind. “It’s really is not something you can read into, in terms of voting intention at the moment, but definitely a steady stream of people keen to vote,” he said. Nationals candidate Kirrilee Warr, Liberal Tim Milnes, Australian Christians’ Eugenie Harris, and independent Aaron Horsman were also out the front of the early voting centre. Meanwhile, early voters have given their opinions on why they voted for certain parties. Ian Baker, 48, said his vote for the Liberals was due to ongoing concerns of crime in the area. “I think the Liberals have a better policy on crime, and they’re going to build that wharf (jetty),” he said. “Labor didn’t give us enough to go on. “I normally vote Labor. I just think the crime is rife.” Other voters expressed their opinion, with one saying she would “rather vote for Putin than put Roger Cook back in Government”. “We need someone to do something about the crime in Gero,” another voter said. “I’ve lived here almost 60 years and I’ve never ever seen it this bad. “I’m voting for the Liberals because no other party seems to want to take responsibility and clean up our streets.” Some voters told the Geraldton Guardian they were rusted-on supporters, while others said their values had changed, causing them to shift their vote. In Carnarvon, it was a slower day at the polls, with less people taking the opportunity to vote at the earliest opportunity, according to those involved. Nationals leader Shane Love who was in Carnarvon to stake his claim for the Mid West seat said he was happy to be there, but acknowledged the region should have had multiple pre-polling locations. “Most of the electorate lives south of Geraldton where there are no pre-polling facilities,” he said. “I would have been here no matter what because it’s a very important town — the largest community in the electorate of Mid West. “One that I’m very keen to be involved with and to represent in the future.” Meanwhile, North West Central MLA and Liberal candidate Merome Beard had a nightmare in the lead up, having her car stolen on Sunday night. It contained a lot of election material including her how-to-vote cards. She conceded it was a “tight timeline” to get there but made it. “Of all weeks to lose your car, this week and next week are certainly not very helpful,” she said. “Apparently it makes you stronger, so I just step up again.”