A method of voting that allows eligible electors to cast their ballot by mail rather than attending a polling place in person on election day. Voters must apply for a postal vote, after which ballot papers are sent to them to complete and return before the close of counting. Postal voting is available to people who are unable to attend a polling place due to illness, disability, distance, religious observance, or other accepted reasons. In Australian federal elections, applications are managed by the Australian Electoral Commission. Postal votes are counted after election day and can sometimes influence close results in marginal seats as the full count comes in.