By Hugh Pearson
Thousands of Cardinia residents have made their way to Officer to cast their votes for the state election.
Early voting commenced on Monday 14 November after the ballot paper orders were confirmed last Friday.
In the first two days of early voting, approximately 3000 people in the Cardinia Shire had cast their vote.
Pakenham candidates and volunteers were out in force to hand out their how to vote cards in hopes to be elected to the seat of Pakenham.
Independent candidate Brett Owen has been at the Officer early voting centre handing out his how to vote every day since Monday.
“What I’m trying to do with this whole pre-polling is be here myself and speak to people and explain why I’m standing from Pakenham,” Mr Owen said.
“I think people want to see their candidate and who they’re voting for and have those conversations so I think it’s really important for candidates to be here.”
One Nation candidate Angela Siladji was also in attendance handing out her how to vote cards.
Like Mr Owen, Ms Siladji has been handing out her how to vote cards from morning to night.
“This is day three and I have been here from the moment it opens to the moment it closes,” Ms Siladji said.
“As a candidate I believe it’s important I get to meet all they locals and they know who is here as a representative for One Nation.
“I think it’s important to put a face to a name and that way if they have any questions in regards to our policies or things like that, I’m able to answer and it also shows my commitment to do the hard work.”
Previously, voters were only allowed to vote early if they had reasons for why they weren’t able to on election day, such as if they were travelling out of state.
However, the Victorian Electoral Commission has changed who can vote early, allowing anyone to vote before election day if they would like to.
