The Lismore early-voting centre is set to open on Monday, a week after centres elsewhere.

Australian Electoral Commission spokesperson Keith Eaton said the pre-poll locations were opening in a staggered manner across the country ahead of the May 18 election.

“The AEC plans early-voting centres and polling places on election day according to demand,” Mr Eaton said.

“Typically, each election the number of people casting an early vote rises from week to week with the largest amount of traffic being in the final couple of days prior to election day.

“To this end, we have approximately 220 early-voting centres operating nationally this week.

“This figure will double next week, and hits a high point of more than 500 centres in the final week of early voting.”

The Lismore early-voting centre is located at 146 Molesworth St and is open:

• Monday 6 May – Thursday 9 May (8:30am –5:30pm)
• Friday 10 May (8:30am – 6pm)
• Saturday 11 May (9am – 4pm)
• Monday 13 May – Tuesday 14 May (8:30am –5:30pm)
• Wednesday 15 May (8:30am –6pm)
• Thursday 16 May (8:30am –5:30pm)
• Friday 17 May (8:30am – 6pm

According to the AEC, can vote early either in person or by post if on election day you:

• are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
• are more than 8km from a polling place
• are travelling
• are unable to leave your workplace to vote
• are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
• are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
• have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
• are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
• are a silent elector
• have a reasonable fear for your safety.

For more information on other ways to vote - including postal and telephone voting - head to: aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/