Voters are already making the most of early voting centres opening in the Limestone Coast in the lead up to the March 19 State Election.

The pre-polling centres opened in Naracoorte and Mount Gambier on Monday morning, with a steady stream of voters taking the opportunity to cast their vote early.

An ECSA spokesperson said 14,000 early votes were lodged across SA on Monday, which compared to 7500 on the first day of early voting in 2018.

“We are experiencing a steady flow of people undertaking an early vote at pre-polling venues across the Limestone Coast,” the spokesperson said.

“We remind eligible voters to plan ahead and choose an appropriate time in that two-week period to vote in-person at early voting centres in Naracoorte and Mount Gambier.”

The spokesperson said voters could either download or use their mySA GOV app to access the new SA State Election 2022 app to check on wait times and save time at the polling booth.

“We are also encouraging voters to bring their EasyVote card to have their details quickly marked off the electoral roll,” the spokesperson said.

“Operating hours have been expanded this election to allow for late night voting until 8pm on Thursday, March 10 and Thursday, March 17.

“Early voting centres will also be open on Saturday, March 12.

“Early voting centres will be closed state-wide on Monday, March 14 due to the Adelaide Cup public holiday.

“All early voting centres and polling booths will have socially distanced queues, sanitisation stations, mandatory mask-wearing, single-use pencils, fully vaccinated electoral officials and hygiene and density control officers in place.”

COVID affected electors required to quarantine or isolate can apply for a postal vote up until Thursday, March 17.

After that electors who are COVID-positive, a close contact, or have COVID symptoms can register to collect a voting pack at selected PCR or RAT collection sites.