Voters in the marginal seat of Ripon appear to be reserving their judgements for election day, recording some of the lowest pre-polling numbers in the state.
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As of Tuesday, Ripon had the fourth least early votes registered of the 88 electoral districts in Victoria.
Just 5405 people in Ripon had cast an early vote by Tuesday, more than 3750 votes less than the state average and more than 10,000 votes less than the best early turnout electorate, Bass.
Only Eildon, Broadmeadows and Monbulk had fewer early votes than Ripon by Tuesday.
More than 8500 people had submitted their votes in the electorate of Lowan by Tuesday.
Victorian Electoral Commission election manager for Ripon Ian Maclean said the “logistics” of Ripon makes pre-polling difficult for many people.
“When you compare it to other electorates (pre-polling) is lower, but our boundaries make it tough,” he said.
“With the only Ripon early voting centre in Stawell, it is tough for people from towns like Charlton and St Arnaud to make their way out to vote early.
“We are also a small community here (in Stawell). If you take in the number of people from Stawell that have voted we would probably be one of the highest in the state.”
Mr Maclean said he believed pre-polling numbers in Ripon were up since the 2014 election.
Another possibility is voters in the electorate wanting to hold onto their vote as long as possible, listening to any last-minute policies and pledges announced in the final week of campaigning from all the parties.
Voters will still be able to cast their ballots earlier than Saturday if they wish, with early voting centres for Ripon and Lowan open in Stawell and Horsham respectively until Friday, with extended hours of 8.30am-8pm on Thursday.
