Democracy sausages and snacks from canteens were devoured, and some residents brought their dogs along.

Some avoided queues and went in the morning, and others lined up during peak times.

Related: It's election day, here's what you need to know about the Whitlam and Hume electorates

I went to four different booths in the Hume and Whitlam electorates to see what issues locals are passionate and concerned about, and who they are voting for.

An anonymous voter at Bundanoon Public School said he marked his preference down for the Greens and looked "forward to universal healthcare".

"Healthcare should be a public good and not dependent on money in one's back pocket," he said.

He said there should be more support for vulnerable individuals.

"You judge a society on how you treat your marginalised and poorest," he said.

According to the Salvation Army's Social Justice Stocktake Report for the Whitlam electorate, 34.7 per cent of residents surveyed are concerned about poverty and financial hardship, and unemployment and under employment.

A total of 62.4 per cent are concerned about housing affordability, compared to 49.1 per cent in the Hume electorate.

Of the residents surveyed for the report across the Hume electorate, 35.7 per cent are concerned about homelessness.

Read also: Cost of living top voter priority: study

One voter at Hill Top Public School, who works in the healthcare sector and wanted to remain anonymous, said there needed to be an improvement in healthcare, particularly with more nurses and better staff ratios.

National and economic security

An anonymous voter at Berrima Public School chose the Liberal Party and said he was most concerned about Australia's economic security and security "with [the] situations overseas".

Kerry Paske voted at the Sutton Forest Village Hall and said the "protection of borders and defence" was an important issue for her.

She voted for the Liberal Party, but said that she had "misgivings" about their climate policies, which she said needed to change.

Climate was a repeated issue voters wanted prioritised.

One woman who voted at Hill Top Public School, and did not want to be named, said she was concerned about the climate, environment and the "welfare and future of young people".

Read also: Sit down for a cuppa in honour of International Tea Day

She voted for an Independent candidate and then the Greens Party on her Senate paper.

One voter who made her way to the Sutton Forest Village Hall, wanted the upcoming government in power to focus on the climate.

A man who went to Bundanoon Public School to vote and wished to stay anonymous, wanted more action locally.

A voter at Bundanoon Public School said she wanted change in the Hume electorate and was inspired by, and nominated Penny Ackery.

One man at Berrima Public School said he voted for the One Nation Party and wanted a government that tackled issued head on.

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