IN LINE with record numbers of voters turning out in the first few days of early voting, queues snaked out of the Phillip Island Masonic Lodge for up to 100 metres at various stages on Wednesday.

Some of it was down to the holiday crowds that have continued to linger on the Island even after schools went back during the week but it was noticeable that most were locals.

“Just getting it out of the way,” was the popular refrain with most people not even bothering with the pretence of saying they were working or travelling on election day although in the country many people get a legitimate excuse for voting early by being more than 8km from a polling place on election day.

However, with upwards of half a million people voting on each of the first two days, and at least 2.4 million expected to vote by postal ballot there will be precious few of the 18,098,797 enrolled voters left when the official election day rolls around on Saturday May 3.

It was quite a festive scene at the Cowes booth on Wednesday with multiple volunteers for the major party candidates, Mary Aldred of the Liberals and Tully Fletcher for Labor, and each of the others represented by at least one supporter handing out cards.

Voters happily ran the gauntlet of the how to vote card volunteers flanked by a colourful array of corflutes and banners with candidates faces beaming out or reminding voters of key policy settings.

A Pauline Hanson One Nation Party banner with the slogan “Dump the beer tax” attracted interest.

During the morning Tully Fletcher dropped by to take a turn handing out cards and pressing the flesh and a huge trailer adorned with local independent Deb Leonard’s image lapped the venue for most of the day.

You couldn’t miss the location or the occasion at the rear of St Philip’s parish hall.

Technically at least, you’re supposed to have an excuse for voting early. Here are a few excuses to have ready although you’re unlikely to be asked.

You can vote early either in person or by post if on polling 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 person with disability (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 or wellbeing.