By James Moylan
This is a brand new dawn for voting in the Senate. We are using a whole new voting system with such huge ‘savings provisions’ written into the act, we are now entering a brand new wild west of voting where every voter can be a rugged individual and yet still have their vote counted.
Ain’t democracy grand!
Don’t take my word for it – just consider what Anthony Green had to say about the new voting rules in a recent column:
‘To avoid increasing informal voting, a generous ‘savings’ provision has been included in the act. Any ballot paper with a valid first preference above the line will be ‘saved’ from being informal. Such a vote will count for the candidates of the chosen party and for no other candidate or party on the ballot paper. A ballot with a valid first preference will be valid for every further preference completed, so a 1,2 is also formal, a 1,2,3 is formal, as is 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and so on.’
In other words, as long as you attempt to count to at a predetermined number somewhere between 1 and 50 you will likely do all right.
But still it is essential that you take some time out before getting to the ballot box and focus on the way in which you are going to fill in the Senate Ticket. For years the Party Officials were the ones who were in control: now it is all down to you. So you need to know what you are doing or the new system will diddle you out of having a say on all the candidates being elected.
The AEC says you have to number at least 6 boxes above the line and 12 below for it to be a valid vote. The trick in this sentence is the term ‘at least’. Yes 6 or less preferences will make for a valid ballot but you also need to know that just voting for 6 parties above the line does not also mean that your vote will necessarily be counted towards electing anyone.
If you just put a 1 in a single box above the line then your vote will only be counted towards electing the candidates in that list. If they already have enough votes then your ballot is thrown away. If you number only 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 parties the same applies. These candidates might not be in the running or already have enough votes to get elected aside from yours, in which case your vote is then excluded. So numbering more rather than less boxes is best if you really want to ensure your vote is counted.
Numbering every box above the line also gives you an opportunity of proportioning blame and indicating displeasure (which is the best thing about voting conscientiously). If you number every box above the line then you are provided the opportunity to put the particular parties you dislike the most right at the end of your ballot. It is always a difficult matter to weigh up which particular party is most disliked, however it is also a strangely pleasurable experience. I call it ‘Voting with my Spleen’.
TIPS FOR VOTING DAY:
- So be prepared for your voting experience and know the new rules.
- Make sure you have a good breakfast or lunch and dress warmly as it will likely be a long wait in line.
- Number all the boxes on the House of Reps ballot.
- Number at least 6 boxes above the line in the Senate (but preferably a lot more) and 12 or more below the line.
- If you want to ensure your vote will be counted then number every box above or below the line.
- Do not go box-happy and number boxes both above and below the line.
- Don’t despair.
- Vote with your Spleen
