OFFICIAL
•
the count supervisor, for pre-poll and mobile counts on pol ing night
•
the Divisional Returning Of icer, during fresh scrutiny
•
the Australian Electoral Of icer, for recounts.
6. Staff are instructed to refer to the Ballot Paper Formality Guidelines (see Attachment D)
when making decisions on formality. This document is publicly available on the AEC
website, and relevant sections are replicated in the Scrutineers Handbook and Election
Procedures Handbook (for polling staff). The guidelines list the principles to be applied when
making formality decisions, along with some specific examples of formal and informal ballot
papers.
7. The guidelines state:
If a voter marks a ballot paper with words, symbols or figures or a language other than
English, the ballot paper can be accepted if it is established that the voter’s intention is
clear to the DRO as the decision maker.
s 42(1)
8. Training materials include:
•
Divisional Returning Of icers and other identified staff undertake the Operational
Leaders Program (OLP). As part of this training, staff complete training exercises
covering ballot paper formality including practical simulations using examples of
formal and informal ballot papers.
•
Polling staff complete mandatory training including content on ballot paper formality,
with examples of formal and informal ballot papers.
•
Count supervisors complete online training and receive a briefing, both of which
include content on ballot paper formality.
•
Standard operating procedures, election procedures handbooks, task briefings and
staff briefs include instructions for staff to apply the Ballot Paper Formality Guidelines.
9. Education and communication materials include:
•
Campaign advertisements and website content which say “To vote, write either ‘Yes’
or ‘No’ inside the box on your ballot paper”.
•
Translated fact sheets which include the additional line “Your answer should be
written in English”.
•
A “Practise voting – Referendum” tool on the AEC’s website that allows voters to
submit an answer to a referendum ballot paper and see if it wil result in a formal vote.
•
Media talking points (delivered by an AEC spokesperson) including:
– voting instructions for a referendum are to write either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in English
in the box opposite the question
– s 22
s 22
Agenda Paper: Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
OFFICIAL
Page 2
OFFICIAL
25 July 2023
Cleared by:
Tania Wilson, AC Service Design and Foundations
28 July 2023
Cleared by ELT:
Kath Gleeson, FAC and NEM
2 August 2023
Agenda Paper: Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
OFFICIAL
Page 5
OFFICIAL
s 22
Agenda Paper: Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
OFFICIAL
Page 7
OFFICIAL
s 22
5
6
7
8
9
Agenda Paper: Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
OFFICIAL
Page 10
OFFICIAL
s 22
10.
As for (h), the content of the affirmative statement and its juxtaposition to the ‘X’ in the box would be
significant to determining the formality of the ballot paper. If the affirmative statement made it clear
that the ‘X’ in the box was intended to convey approval for the constitutional alteration, the ballot
would likely be formal.
s 22
Agenda Paper: Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
OFFICIAL
Page 11
Contents
Introduction
1
Senate guidelines
14
House of Representatives or Referendum
Consecutive sequence of numbers
14
Scrutiny
1
Overwriting
17
Senate Scrutiny Processes
1
Acceptable forms of numbering
18
Missing or repeated numbers
21
Ballot paper formality tests
2
Placement of votes
24
Authentic bal ot papers
2
Variations in handwriting
26
Bal ot paper alteration by pol ing officials
2
Group or candidate name substitution
27
Alteration by polling officials
3
Bal ot paper formality principles
5
Referendum guidelines
30
Lawful numbering sequence
5
Referendum bal ot paper tests
30
Use of multiple marks
31
House of Representatives guidelines
6
Change to wording on bal ot paper
32
Consecutive sequence of numbers
6
Use of symbols on bal ot paper
32
Overwriting
7
Bal ot papers with more than one question
33
Acceptable forms of numbering
8
Empty boxes
10
Feedback
34
Placement of votes
11
Variations in handwriting
12
Glossary
35
Candidate name substitution
13
Ballot paper formality guidelines iii
iv
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Introduction
When undertaking checks on whether a Senate,
Senate Scrutiny Processes
House of Representatives (HoR) or Referendum
bal ot paper is formal or informal, four questions
The scrutiny of Senate bal ot papers occurs at
should be asked:
the Central Senate Scrutiny (CSS). The AEO for
the state or territory is responsible for the Senate
■ Is the bal ot paper authentic?
scrutiny and is the final decision maker in regard
■ Does the bal ot paper identify the voter?
to Senate bal ot paper formality.
■ Does the bal ot paper have a vote marked
On pol ing night the Electoral Act requires the
on it?
Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) to count the
■ Is the intention of the voter clear? That is:
total number of Senate bal ot papers and the
— In the case of a HoR or Senate election,
number of first preferences for each group above
does the bal ot paper contain a lawful
the line (ATL) (s.273(2)(ca) and (d) of the Electoral
numbering sequence?
Act). It is Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
— In the case of a referendum, does the
policy for the ARO to also count the number of
bal ot paper have ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ marked on it
first preferences below the line (BTL) for each
for each question?
group and ungrouped candidate and to also
When making decisions on disputed bal ot
count the obviously informal bal ot papers.
papers, decision makers should attempt to look
at as many disputed bal ot papers as possible
After polling day, the DRO reconciles the number
at the same time. This assists with consistent
of bal ot papers previously counted by the
application of the principles in decision making.
ARO, or undertakes an initial count of any bal ot
papers that have not already been counted,
If necessary consult with senior management in
(s.273(3) of the Electoral Act) before forwarding
state or national office (excluding the Australian
the bal ot papers to the CSS.
Electoral Officer (AEO) who may need to be the
decision maker if a HoR or Referendum recount
All Senate bal ot papers need to have their
is held) for guidance on bal ot paper formality. If
individual preferences entered into the AEC’s
required, legal advice can be sought.
computerised Senate count system Easycount
– whether the bal ot paper is marked above or
below the line.
House of Representatives or
The AEC uses a semi-automated process to
Referendum Scrutiny
conduct the Senate count, scanning Senate
bal ot papers and using optical character
For HoR elections and referendums, the DRO
recognition technology to capture preferences.
is the decision maker. While presiding officers,
Once captured, these preferences are then
known as officers in charge (OICs) and pol ing
verified by a human operator and the formality
place officials will sort and count first preference
rules applied.
or ‘Yes’ votes on pol ing night, any bal ot papers
for which formality cannot be determined at the
This occurs progressively over several weeks
pol ing place will be separated and transmitted to
as the bal ot papers are processed through
the DRO who will make a determination on their
the semi-automated count process at the
formality.
CSS. Once all the bal ot papers have been
scrutinised and the quota struck, the distribution
of preferences is conducted in Easycount to
determine the final results.
Ballot paper formality guidelines 1
Ballot paper formality tests
All bal ot papers will be required to undergo
Bal ot paper alteration by
two tests before progressing through formality
polling officials
checking. Failure of either of these tests will
result in an informal bal ot paper and no further
A ful y printed bal ot paper for a division may be
formality checking will be required.
altered to become a bal ot paper for another
division (i.e. the names of the candidates are
■ Is the bal ot paper authentic?
crossed out by the issuing officer and the names
■ Does the bal ot paper identify the voter?
of candidates for the other division are written in
their place).
Authentic bal ot papers
Where bal ot papers have been altered by pol ing
officials the vote is still formal if:
General y a bal ot paper will carry an official mark
■ the political party names are not all correctly
(watermark or printed security detail) and the
listed, for example the wrong party names
initials of the issuing officer.
are listed against the candidates or the party
However, bal ot papers that do not carry these
names are not listed.
markings are not necessarily informal. They
■ a bal ot paper has the names of any candidate
should be presented to the DRO in the case of
spelt incorrectly, provided the identity of the
HoR or Referendum bal ot papers or to the AEO
candidate is still clear.
in the case of Senate bal ot papers to decide on
■ the bal ot paper has the names of the
their formality.
candidates in the wrong order.
■ the candidate’s surname only is listed on
the altered bal ot paper, as long as no two
candidates share a surname.
NOTE: There is no legal requirement for a bal ot
paper prepared by an official under s.209(6) or
s.209(7) of the Electoral Act to contain a party
logo and therefore the absence of a logo does
not make the bal ot paper informal.
However, irrespective of the way the voter has
voted, the bal ot paper is informal if:
■ an altered bal ot paper does not contain the
names of every candidate for the division.
■ the candidate’s given names only are listed on
the altered bal ot paper.
2
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Bal ot paper formality principles
There are five overarching principles that must be considered when interpreting the marks on any bal ot
paper that has passed the initial two tests. They are:
■ Start from the assumption that the voter has intended to vote formal y
The assumption needs to be made that an elector who has marked a bal ot paper has done so with
the intention to cast a formal vote.
■ Establish the intention of the voter and give effect to this intention
When interpreting markings on the bal ot paper, these must be considered in line with the intention of
the voter.
■ Err in favour of the franchise
In the situation where the voter has tried to submit a formal vote, i.e. the bal ot paper is not blank or
defaced, doubtful question of form should wherever possible, be resolved in the voter’s favour.
■ Only have regard to what is written on the bal ot paper
The intention of the voter must be unmistakable, i.e. do not assume what the voter was trying to do if
it’s not clear – only consider what was written on the bal ot paper.
■ The bal ot paper should be construed as a whole
By considering the number in each square as one in a series, not as an isolated number, a poorly
formed number MAY be recognisable as the one missing from the series.
Lawful numbering sequence
HoR and Senate bal ot papers have different numbering sequence requirements. Whether a numbering
sequence is lawful will depend on the type of bal ot paper. However, there are some general principles
that apply to the assessment of all bal ot papers:
■ consecutive sequence of numbers
■ overwriting
■ acceptable forms of numbering
■ empty boxes
■ placement of votes
■ variations in handwriting, and
■ candidate name substitution.
Ballot paper formality guidelines 5
Two Candidates only
In the case of only two candidates on a HoR bal ot paper, if the voter has placed a ‘1’ in the box beside a
candidate and
■ left the second box blank, or
■ inserted any other number
the bal ot paper will be deemed formal (s.268(1)(c) of the Electoral Act).
Ballot paper formality guidelines 9
Senate guidelines
Consecutive sequence of numbers
Above the line
Below the line
For an above the line vote (ATL), voters are
For a below the line vote (BTL), voters are
instructed to consecutively number at least 6
instructed to consecutively number at least
boxes above the black line, in the order of their
12 boxes alongside individual candidates in
preference, commencing with the number ‘1’.
order of their preference commencing with the
By voting in this way, voters are preferencing
number ‘1’. They may continue to express further
the individual candidates within a group in the
preferences if they wish.
order in which they appear on the bal ot paper.
Where there are more than 6 candidates, the
However, where a voter consecutively numbers
bal ot paper will still be formal if the voter has
fewer than 6 boxes, (including only one box with
consecutively numbered the boxes 1 to 6. In
a first preference) the bal ot paper will still be
effect the minimum formality threshold for a
formal, but will exhaust after the last consecutive
BTL vote is the expression of the numbers
number.
(preferences) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 with no duplications
or missing numbers.
Note: s.268A(2)(a) of the Electoral Act would
permit the number ‘1’ being expressed as either
a singular tick or cross e.g. X, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Marked both above and below the
line
For a bal ot paper that is marked both above and
below the line, the BTL figures take precedence
and will count as the vote.
If however the BTL figures are informal, the ATL
vote will be accepted, providing it is formal.
Disclaimer: All the Senate formality examples
in this publication are for the ‘Election of 6
Senators’ in a state. In the event of a double
dissolution election the Senate bal ot paper
for each state will be for the ‘Election of 12
Senators’. Bal ot papers for the territories are for
the ‘Election of 2 Senators’.
14
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Referendum guidelines
Referendum bal ot paper tests
A voter fil ing in a referendum bal ot paper is
A vote at a referendum will be informal if any of
obliged to indicate their vote by either:
the fol owing apply:
■ writing the word ‘yes’ on the bal ot paper in
■ no vote is marked on the bal ot paper (s.93(1)
the space provided if the voter approves the
(b) R(MP)A)
proposed law, or
■ it has more than one vote mark on the bal ot
■ writing the word ‘no’ on the bal ot paper in the
paper (s.93(1)(c) R(MP)A)
space provided if the voter does not approve
■ terms are used that convey indecision and
the proposed law.
uncertainty, such as ‘not sure’, or
The prescribed method of recording a vote
■ a cross is used on a referendum bal ot
in a referendum is to use the words ‘yes’ or
paper which has only one question, since a
‘no’ written alone (i.e. without qualification).
cross on its own may mean either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
In all cases, however, bal ot papers must be
A bal ot paper is not informal merely because a
admitted where the voter’s intention is clear
bal ot paper with the wrong state or territory was
(s.93(8) R(MP)A). Words, stickers or stamps
issued to the voter.
with the same meaning as ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (e.g.
‘definitely’ or ‘never’), an indication of either ‘Y’ or
‘N’, as well as ticks are all capable of clearly
demonstrating the voter’s intention.
30
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Languages other than English
If a voter marks the bal ot paper with a foreign language equivalent of 'yes' or 'no', the bal ot paper is
formal as long as the voter's intention is clear.
The table below ca
n b
e used t
o deter
mine whether a voter has recorded a vote in a foreign language.
English
Yes / YES
No / NO
Arabic
معن
لك / لا
Assyrian
ܐ ܹܗ
ܵ
ܠ
Bengali
হ্যাঁ
নয
Bosnian
Da / DA
Ne / NE
Burmese
ထ ောက်ခံသည်
မေထာက်ခံပါ
是
否
同意
反对
赞成
否决
赞同
抵制
1
Chinese (S)
支持
不同意
认同
不赞成
拥护
不赞同
不支持
不认同
Chinese (T)
是
不
Croatian
Da / DA
Ne / NE
Dari
یلب
هن
Farsi
هرآ o ی
r رآ
or یلب
or هلب
ری
خن or
هن
or ریخ
Filipino
Oo / OO
Hindi / HINDI
Greek
Ναι / ΝΑΙ
Όχι / ΟΧΙ
Hazaragi
یرآ
هن
Hindi
ह ाँ / जी ह ाँ
नहीीं ͬ जी नहीीं
Ϯ
Italian
Sì / SÌ
No / NO
Karen
မ ် Žƌ ကက ြၢး
တမ ်ဘ ် Žƌ တကက ြၢးဘ ်
ϭ EŽƚĞƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ĂĨƚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ƚĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ŚŝŶĞƐĞ ^ŝŵƉůŝĨŝĞĚ ůĂŶŐƵĂŐĞ͘
Ϯ dŚĞ ĨŝƌƐƚ ŽƉƚŝŽŶ ŝƐ ƵƐĞĚ ŝŶ Ăůů ĨŽƌŵƐ͕ ďƵƚ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ŽƉƚŝŽŶ ŝƐ Ă ƉŽůŝƚĞ Žƌ ĨŽƌŵĂů ǁĂLJ ŽĨ ƐĂLJŝŶŐ zĞƐ ĂŶĚ EŽ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ
ŵŽƌĞ ĐŽŵŵŽŶ ŝŶ ƐƉŽŬĞŶ ,ŝŶĚŝ͘
34
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Khmer
បាទ or ចាស
ទទ
່
Kor
Ma ean
ced
네
Даor
/ 예
А
아니오
Н / Н
Lao
ແມ່ນ
/
ບ ່
L ແ ມ່ນ
/ L
Macedonian
Да / ДА
छु
Не
हु / НЕ
/ छ
Maltie
s se
Iva / I
k V
A
Le
Ni / LE
N
g
Sim S
Não NÃ
Nepali
हुन्छ / छु
हुाँदैन / छैन
Polis
nj h
Ta
ਹ k /
TAK
Ni
ਨe / NIE
r
Por
Ru tsugues
sian e
Sim
Да // SIM
А
Não
Не / NÃ
ЕO
Да
е / Е ( n
Punjabi
bi
ਹ ਾਂ
ਨ ਾਂਹ or ਨਹ ਾਂ
Про ив /
Russian
Да / ДА
Нет / НЕТ
Да / ДА (= yes)
Не / НЕ (= no)
ඔව්
න ැ
Serbian
За / ЗА (= for)
Против / ПРОТИВ (= against) 3
S S
No / NO
Sinhalese
Tamil
ඔව්
ஆ
නැහැ
இல்
Spanish
Sí / SÍ
No / NO
่
Tamil
ஆம் or ஆமாம்
இல்லல
et / E ET
H
IR
Thai
rdu
ใช่ or เห็นด้วย
ไม่ใช่
or ไม่เห็นด ้วย ϰ
Tur
V k
iet ish
a m
Ev
C et
/ / EVET
Ó
Hayı
K
r / HA
hông / K Y
H IR
Ô N
Urdu
ںاہ
یہن
Vietnamese
dŚ
Có / CÓ
ů Ɛƚ ŝ ŶŽƚ
Không / KHÔNG
ŚŝŶĞƐĞ ŶŽ
ƚŽƚĞƐ
ĐŽ͗
ϭ͘ dŚĞ ĂďŽǀĞ ůŝƐƚ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ĞdžŚĂƵƐƚŝǀĞ͘
ů
ů
Ě
Ϯ͘ Ɛ ŚŝŶĞƐĞ ĐŚĂƌĂĐƚĞƌƐ ĂƌĞ ůŽŐŽŐƌĂŵƐ͕ ŝƚ ŝƐ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ
ŝĨ
ƚ
; Ƶ ŝ
ƚŽ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽĨ ĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ ĐĂůůŝŐƌĂƉŚLJ ƐƚLJůĞƐ
ƚ
ů
Ś
ŚĂǀĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƉƉĞĂƌĂŶĐĞƐ ŽĨ ǁƌŝƚƚĞŶ ǁŽƌĚƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ
ĞdžĂŵƉůĞ ďĞůŽǁ͕ ŽŶĞ ǁŽƌĚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ǁƌŝƚƚĞŶ ŝŶ Ă
ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ ǁĂLJƐ ;ĐƵƌƐŝǀĞ͕ ƐĞŵŝͲĐƵƌƐŝǀĞ ĂŶĚ
ƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚ ǁŝů ďĞ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ĐŽŵŵŽŶ͘
ϯ &Žƌ ĂŶĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ĂƌĞ ŵŽƌĞ ŝĚŝŽŵĂƚŝĐ ŝŶ ^ĞƌďŝĂŶ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ĐŽŶƚĞdžƚ͘
ϰ zĞƐ ĂŶĚ EŽ ŝŶ dŚĂŝ ĚĞƉĞŶĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƋƵĞƐƚŝŽŶ ǁŽƌĚŝŶŐ͘ WƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ďŽdžĞƐ ĂƌĞ͗ zĞƐ Žƌ ŐƌĞĞ Θ EŽ Žƌ ŝƐĂŐƌĞĞ
ĞĞ
Ballot paper formality guidelines 35
Further examples
The fol owing examples may assist in determining formality of bal ot papers.
These would likely be formal
These would likely be informal
‘NEVER’
‘NO DAMS’ with ‘NO D’ inside the space
‘I guess so’
provided on the bal ot paper to mark their vote
‘Yes’ in the box, with a NO DAMS sticker on the
‘Not sure’
paper
‘Yes?’
‘OH NO’
‘Yes, but only if it includes the fol owing …’
‘Without a better option, yes’
‘No, unless…’
‘Reluctantly, yes’
‘Yeah Nah’
the use of a stamp that says ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
a smiley face or sad or frown face
‘I guess so’
‘I guess so!’
Expletives (providing the voter's intention is clear)
36
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Feedback
Feedback welcome
The AEC welcomes your views on the usefulness
of the
Ballot paper formality guidelines and any
specific information provided in these pages.
We invite you to send your feedback via the AEC
website.
Ballot paper formality guidelines 37
Glossary
Term
Description
Assistant Returning
The officer in charge of each pol ing place is official y cal ed the ‘presiding officer’
Officer (ARO)
during pol ing but is cal ed the ARO during the scrutiny (see also ‘Officer in charge’).
Australian Electoral
The independent statutory authority established in 1984 to maintain and update the
Commission (AEC)
Commonwealth electoral roll, raise public awareness and conduct federal elections
and referendums.
Australian Electoral
The AEC’s chief manager in each state and the Northern Territory. An AEO for the
Officer (AEO)
Australian Capital Territory is only appointed for each election period. The AEO is the
returning officer for the Senate in their state or territory.
By-election
An election held to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives resulting from death,
resignation, absence without leave, expulsion, disqualification or ineligibility of a
member.
Candidate
A person standing for election to the Senate or House of Representatives.
Certified list of voters
The official electoral roll used to mark off electors’ names. Pol ing officials place a
mark against an elector’s name when the elector is issued with a bal ot paper at a
pol ing place, or where appropriate during early voting, to indicate that the elector has
voted.
Commonwealth
The legislation governing the Commonwealth electoral process.
Electoral Act 1918
Divisional Returning
The AEC officer responsible for conducting the election in each division. The DROs
Officer (DRO)
are the returning officers for the House of Representatives in their divisions.
Divisions (electorates)
For representation in the House of Representatives, Australia is divided into voting
areas known as divisions or electorates. One member is elected from each division.
(For representation in the Senate, each state and territory is one electorate. All states
are multi-member electorates and have the same number of Senators. Territory
representation is determined by the federal parliament.)
Early vote
A postal vote or a vote cast at an early voting centre or via a mobile pol ing team in
the lead-up to pol ing day. They are cast by electors who will not be able to get to a
pol ing place on pol ing day.
Electoral and
Regulations that support the operation of the
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and
Referendum
the
Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984.
Regulation 2016
Electoral
The statutorily appointed officer who performs the functions of the chief executive
Commissioner
officer of the AEC.
Formal
A bal ot paper is general y considered formal if it is fil ed out correctly in accordance
with the Act and the instructions on the bal ot paper. It is therefore included in the
scrutiny.
Fresh scrutiny
A re-check of House of Representatives or Referendum votes cast conducted by the
DRO in the days fol owing pol ing day.
38
Ballot paper formality guidelines
Term
Description
House of
One of two houses of the federal Parliament of Australia, whose members are elected
Representatives (HoR)
on a population basis.
Informal
A bal ot paper is general y considered informal if it is not fil ed out correctly in
accordance with the Act and the instructions on the bal ot paper. It cannot therefore
be included in the scrutiny.
Issuing officers
Pol ing officials who issue ordinary bal ot papers to electors whose names are found
on the certified list of voters, mark the certified list, complete the account of bal ot
papers and assist with the count of bal ot papers after the close of the pol .
Issuing point
The part of the pol ing place where bal ot papers are issued to electors.
Officer in charge (OIC)
The officer who is in charge at a pol ing place. They are cal ed ‘presiding officers’
during pol ing (8am to 6pm). From 6pm, during the scrutiny, they are cal ed the
Assistant Returning Officer (ARO).
Ordinary vote
An ordinary vote is recorded by an elector whose entitlement to vote is verified at
the place of pol ing and whose name is marked off a certified list of voters. Ordinary
votes may be cast on, or in certain circumstances, before pol ing day. These votes are
counted on pol ing day after the close of pol ing.
Polling official
There are two categories of pol ing officials, those who are required to work in the
period before pol ing day to assist with mobile and early voting and those who are
required to work in a pol ing place on pol ing day only.
Polling place
A place appointed to take the votes of electors from that state or territory on pol ing
day.
First preference mark
The mark – a tick, a cross either ATL or BTL on a Senate bal ot paper may be used in
place of a 1 to indicate a voter’s first preference.
Preferential voting (ful )
A system of voting in which the voter completes the bal ot paper by putting the
number ‘1’ in the box next to the candidate who is their first choice, the number
‘2’ in the box next to their second choice, and so on until every box is numbered
consecutively. This is the method used when voting in a House of Representatives
election.
Preferential voting
The system of voting where the voter can vote for their preferred candidate/s. These
(optional)
systems can also operate with further rules/minimum thresholds. This is the method
of voting in a Senate election, where the voter completes the bal ot paper ATL by
putting the number ‘1’ in the box next to the group of candidates who is their first
choice, the number ‘2’ in the box next to their second choice, and so on up to at least
6. BTL voting is for individual candidates and the voter must preference at least 12
candidates. The voter can indicate further preferences both ATL and BTL if they so
wish.
Referendum
A proposal to alter the Constitution put to the vote. The Constitution can only be
altered by a ‘double majority’ – a national majority of electors from all states and
territories and a majority of electors in a majority of states passing the proposed
amendment.
Ballot paper formality guidelines 39
Term
Description
Referendum
The legislation governing the Referendum process.
(Machinery Provisions)
Act 1984
Senate
One of two houses of the federal Parliament of Australia, which has 76 Senators, 12
from each of the six states and two each from Northern Territory and the Australian
Capital Territory.
Scrutineers
People appointed by candidates (or other appointers in a referendum) to be their
representatives at pol ing places, or at any place at which the scrutiny of votes is
being conducted. Scrutineers have the right to be present when the bal ot boxes are
sealed and opened and when the votes are sorted and counted so that they may
check any possible irregularities, but they may not touch any bal ot paper.
Scrutiny
The counting of votes, which leads to the election or referendum result.
Tal y Room (TR)
A website results system, which provides election or referendum information and
results in a user-friendly format.
Two-candidate-
These figures show where preferences have been distributed to the likely final two
preferred
candidates in a House of Representatives election.
‘Vote saving’
‘Vote saving’ provisions at sections 268A and 269 of the Electoral Act al ow some
provisions
Senate votes that have not been marked in accordance with voting instructions in
section 239 of the Electoral Act to still be included in the count.
Writ
In an election context, a writ is a document which commands an electoral officer to
hold an election or referendum and contains dates for the close of rol s, the close of
nominations, the day of voting and the return of the writ. The issue of the writ triggers
the election or referendum process.
40
Ballot paper formality guidelines
