REGION - Voters in the federal by-election for Mayo will have to choose from 11 candidates, but the Australian Labor Party won't be contesting the seat.
Nominations for the by-election, to be held on Saturday, September 6, closed last week.
The eleven candidates, as they will appear on the ballot paper are: Lynton Vonow, The Greens; Rachael Barons, Conservatives for Climate and Environment; Bill Spragg, Independent; Mathew Keizer, One Nation; Mary Brewerton, Independent; Andrew Castrique, Australian Democrats; Jamie Briggs, Liberal; Malcolm King, Independent; Bob Day, Family First; David McCabe, Democratic Labor Party; and Diane Bell, Independent
All 11 are expected to be at a public forum to be held in Strathalbyn on Sunday. The ALP has also been invited to send along a representative, despite deciding not to contest the poll.
Starting at 2pm in the Strathalbyn Town Hall, the forum will allow the crowd to hear a short speech from each of the prospective MPs.
Each candidate will then be allowed to ask one other candidate a question before questions are taken from the public.
Andrew Castrique of the Australian Democrats, who has organised the forum, said people attending the event would be asked for a gold coin donation to cover the cost of the hall rental.
"If any money is left over we will donate it to a local charity," he said.
"People will be speaking on the same order as they will appear on the ballot paper and most candidates will be staying after the formal questions are over so people can talk to them."
Alexandrina Mayor, Kym McHugh, will be facilitating the event.
The by-election has been made necessary through the resignation last month of the inaugural Member for Mayo, Alexander Downer.
Enrolment for the by-election has closed with a total of 97,583 voters registered.
This compares to 96,401 when the 2007 federal election was held.
Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and over.
If you are unable to get to a polling place on election day an early voting centre has been set up at Eyre House, 78 Ocean Street, Victor Harbor. It is open weekdays until polling day as well as Saturday, August 30.
You can also apply for a postal vote by completing a form at the post office or downloading it from www.aec.gov.au. This must be applied for before Thursday, September 4.
On election day, the following local polling booths will be operating:
• GOOLWA - Uniting Church Hall & Primary School;
• HINDMARSH VALLEY Hall;
• INMAN VALLEY Uniting Church Hall;
• LANGHORNE CREEK Memorial Hall;
• MIDDLETON Pioneer Hall;
• MILANG Eastern Fleurieu School;
• MOUNT COMPASS Area School;
• MYPONGA Primary School;
• PARAWA Recreation Hall;
• PORT ELLIOT RSL Hall;
• SECOND VALLEY Soldiers Memorial Institute:
• STRATHALBYN Town Hall;
• VICTOR HARBOR - Adare Uniting Church Hall, Victor Harbor Recreation Centre and Victor Harbor Town Hall;
• YANKALILLA Jubilee Hall.
Polling booths will be open from 8am-6pm.
For more information phone 132 326 or visit www.aec.gov.au.
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