From Viking re-enactors to boxers, university students and former bikie bosses, Queensland's election candidates are a mixed bunch.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Among the 449 candidates are nurses, teachers, lawyers, farmers, journalists and former defence force members.
And while little information is available on some candidates - particularly a number of independents - others have had unusual jobs and hobbies.
One Nation's candidate for the central Queensland coast electorate of Keppel, Matt Loth, used to be a Viking re-enactor - though he told Fairfax Media his hobbies these days tend towards fishing and camping.
Logan's Scott Bannan is a former professional Muay Thai boxer, and the Greens' candidate for Condamine, Chris Turnbull, is an amateur beekeeper.
An independent for Mudgeeraba, Bill Sherwood, is a former 747 pilot and a former bikie boss is standing as an independent in Pine Rivers.
Some candidates are still university students - Chay Conaglen, contesting the seat of Gladstone, is a 20-year-old CQUniversity student who is living with MP Ken O'Dowd ahead of election day.
"If you were to ask me a month ago if I'd be running for Parliament at the age of 20, I'd say you were joking," Mr Conaglen told the ABC.
The Green's candidate for Ferny Grove, Elizabeth World, is also just 20 years old.
What's in a name?
Fairfax analysis shows the most common name among candidates is Mark, with 12 Marks standing in the state election.
Next most common is Michael, with 10 on ballot papers across the state, followed by nine Peters, seven Ians and Jasons and six men named Tony. There are eight men who go by either James or Jim.
The most common female candidate name is Sue, with four standing, and there are three Leannes.
There are also two Kims: Kim Richards, a female Labor candidate for Redlands, and Kim Miller, a male One Nation candidate for the Logan city electorate of Waterford.
Political party musical chairs
Allegiance to a political party does not necessarily last a lifetime - just ask Queensland One Nation leader Steve Dickson, who was once a Liberal National Party MP.
Following in Mr Dickson's footsteps is the One Nation candidate for Mansfield, Neil Symes. Also formerly an LNP MP, he was elected as a 22-year-old in 2012, making him one of the youngest members of Queensland Parliament.
Several candidates have quit parties to run as independents - there are six former One Nation candidates alone.
Independent candidate for Bundamba Shan-Ju Lin was dumped from One Nation after making anti-gay comments. Andrew Semple, running as an independent for Currumbin, quit Pauline Hanson's party after being asked to delete an inflammatory tweet, and Ipswich independent candidate Troy Aggett quit after a disagreement about the cost of a printing package.
Former One Nation secretary and "administration boss" Saraya Beric is running as an independent for Mermaid Beach and is using Tinder to drum up votes. Independents Jay Downs and Geoff Virgo are also former One Nation members.
One Nation is not the only party that has lost (or dumped) political candidates.
Rick Williams is running as an independent for the Bribie Island seat of Pumicestone after being disendorsed by Labor in October, and Rockhampton mayor Margaret Strelow, who sought the chance to run for Labor, has chosen to become an independent after losing pre-selection to Barry O'Rourke.
Two former LNP members are standing as independents: Seath Holswich is recontesting his old seat after being the member for Pine Rivers from 2012 to 2015, and Peter Dowling is doing the same in Redlands after he was dumped by the party in 2014 following a sexting scandal that made national headlines.
Jeremy Davy, an independent for Kawana, was the deputy leader of the now-defunct Palmer United Party at the previous state election.
Party candidates or independents?
Speaking of independents, 92 are contesting the election. A number are campaigning as members of parties that are not on the ballot paper.
Parties can only be registered (and appear on the ballot paper) if they have a written constitution, have at least 500 members on the roll and endorse a candidate for Parliament.
Without meeting the requirements, candidates appear as independents on the ballot paper, however there are a number of people using small parties to help their campaigns.
The Animal Justice Party has a number of candidates standing as independents, including Ric Allport in Mermaid Beach, Danielle Cox in Logan and Rachel Radic in Nicklin.
The independent candidate for the newly-created seat of McConnel, Kamala Emanuel, is a member of the Socialist Alliance.
Some remain a mystery
Even though they are running for public office, there are candidates across parties who have shared very little information about themselves online.
Know something, or have a tip about your local candidate?
There are 449 candidates standing for election in this vast state, and we invite you to be part of the vetting process. Please send your tips to election@brisbanetimes.com.au.
