At Tamworth Public School a prospective voter is spoiled for choice as candidate volunteers bombard him with choice. Photo: Kitty Hill
The streets around Tamworth schools and polling venues are full this morning as people get in early to cast their vote in today's local government elections.
At Tamworth Public School, prospective voters brought a little of their Saturday morning routine along, mothers pushing prams, elderly gentlemen with a paper tucked under their arm and some with a takeaway coffee in hand.
Before actually casting your vote, it's hard to avoid running the "paper gauntlet," the long line of volunteers a regulation 6 metres from the entry gate with their candidate paper in hand, whose job it is to influence your vote.
With 17 candidates in the Tamworth electorate, that's a lot of paper if you don't have the heart to say no to a friendly volunteer.
This year, with carbon footprints and recycling high on everyone's agenda, waste-conscious voters are passing back the paper for volunteers to re-use.
"Yes we do get a few back these days," said volunteer Steve Warden, dispensing papers for Tamworth candidate Judith Edmunds.
He said savvy voters were choosing to avoid the line and volunteers with their reams of paper by a gentle 'no' and straight through the gates this year.
His tip to avoid the paper chase?
"Pick your line straight from the car and make a beeline," Mr Warden said.
