What could have been a 10-minute process to cast a vote ended up taking as long as an hour-and-a-half in Wodonga on Saturday.
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The Australian Electoral Commission abolished three Albury booths, two in Wodonga and one in Wangaratta before this election.
The increased number of pre-poll votes was expected to reduce the burden on election day, but long lines only resulted in angry voters.
Baranduda’s Elizabeth Wilson drove around multiple locations to find a short line on Saturday, eventually settling on Wodonga South Primary School, which still had a 45-minute wait.
“The initial concrete path led to a slippery mud area before rejoining another concrete path,” she said.
“Inclement weather did not make it a pleasurable experience.”
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers acknowledged the long waiting times, but denied the booths were understaffed.
He said the most significant changes to Senate voting in 30 years appeared to have resulted in voters taking greater care and more time.