Australia Announces General Election Date for May 3

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday, March 28, that the country will hold a general election on May 3. Opinion polls suggest a close race between Albanese’s Labor party and the Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton. Several independent and minor parties are also vying for seats, potentially becoming kingmakers if neither major party secures a majority. Australia employs compulsory voting for citizens aged 18 and older and uses a preferential voting system. Boundaries have been redrawn in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, resulting in 150 House of Representatives seats up for election, down from 151.