That is around 81 percent more than in the election six years ago, when there were 132,600 voting cards. State Returning Officer Carmen Breitwieser confirmed these figures. If there was another turnout of around 80 percent, that would mean that just over one in four votes with a voting card. Around 129,000 women and 112,000 men have applied for voting cards.
Regionally, Linz is with 28,800 voting cards ahead of the districts of Vöcklabruck (22,200), Linz-Land (21,400) and Urfahr-Umgebung (17,900). At the other end are Wels (5400), Eferding (5300) and Steyr (4100), although the number in Steyr has more than doubled.
According to Breitwieser’s deputy, Josef Gruber, there is a trend towards postal voting. In the National Council election in 2019 there were already 187,000 voting cards, currently the corona pandemic has increased demand due to concerns about a possible risk of infection in polling stations.
There are also polling stations in nursing homes on Sundays – around 65, 40 of which are open to the public. Bernhard Hatheier, chairman of the consortium for the elderly and nursing homes, appeals to election assessors and voters to adhere to the 3G rule and wear a mask. Failure to do so would put the most vulnerable at risk and undermine day-to-day efforts in the homes. As reported, there are generally only recommendations for polling stations, no mandatory protective measures – because the right to vote is above the Covid regulation. (az)
