Austria is witnessing an unprecedented surge in mail-in voting for the National Council elections, with 1.4 million voting cards issued, marking a significant increase from previous years.

This accounts for 22.6% of all eligible voters, a record high compared to 2019 and 2017. The recent electoral reform mandates that most mail-in votes be counted on election day, leading to an expected delay in the preliminary results, which are anticipated to be announced around 11 PM.

This reform aims to provide a more immediate reflection of the election outcome, although it introduces challenges in managing the increased volume of votes.

The reform's impact is particularly notable in regions like Burgenland, where mail-in voting has reached new heights.

As the nation prepares for the election, the focus remains on ensuring every vote is counted accurately and efficiently.