Updated: If you are in mandated quarantine and are required to vote, you are advised to contact the TEC on 6208 8700 or 1800 801 701.
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After months of speculation and campaigning, Rosevears residents will today go to the polls and elect their new member for the Legislative Council.
Voting stations will be open from 8am until 6pm at 13 locations across the electorate.
Both the Rosevears and Huon elections will be like none other before them, with the coronavirus pandemic resulting in a number of health and safety precautions being taken.
Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said while voting was important, so was the health of Tasmanians with the Health Department outlining key protocols for voters to follow.
In other news:
"We've undertaken all these elements that were established quite a while ago, not knowing how prevalent COVID-19 would be in Tasmania at the time," Mr Hawkey said.
Ballot pencils will be smaller and single-use, voters can also bring their own.
There will also be touch-free hand sanitiser dispensers, perspex screens in front of voting staff stations, person density limits and the booths will be cleaned frequently.
People will also be discouraged from socialising and catching up with acquaintances at the polls.
For those who are feeling unwell, car-side voting will be offered or they will possibly be expedited to a booth, with thorough cleaning taking place after.
"We're very happy to have this standard which makes it easier for our staff and easier for electors to feel safe when they go in to vote," Mr Hawkey said.
Rosevears voting stations:
- Beaconsfield Senior Citizens' Hall (Beaconsfield Community Centre), Weld St
- Beauty Point Uniting Church Hall, Beatty St
- Exeter High School (gymnasium), 28 Glen Ard Mohr Rd
- Gravelly Beach Main Hall, Edinburgh Park, off Gravelly Beach Rd
- Kelso Community Centre, Foreshore Rd
- Legana Memorial Hall, 43 Fulton St
- St Patricks College (gymnasium), 282 Westbury Rd
- Riverside High School (gymnasium), 354 West Tamar Hwy
- Sidmouth Community Centre, 255 Batman Hwy
- Summerdale Community Centre, 82-84 Stanley St
- Trevallyn Life Church (auditorium), 34 Pitt Ave
- Trevallyn Primary School (multipurpose room), 55 Gorge Rd
- West Launceston Primary School, 24-38 Basin Rd
One casualty of Saturday's election will be the much-loved democracy sausages, which will be banned.
"These are usually small groups associated with the polling place location, whether it's a school or a hall where we don't have any management over the COVID-safe arrangements," Mr Hawkey said.
Mr Hawkey did admit that unlike state or Federal elections, the simplicity of Legislative Council elections meant fewer lines, therefore less of a demand for democracy sausages.
For more information, visit tec.tas.gov.au.