Media Release 1998: Why 360 000 Voters Missed Out on Having Their Say

30 September 1998

Almost 11.3 million Australians voted at the last federal election, but more than 360 000 of the votes were not counted.

Australian Electoral Officer for the Australian Capital Territory, Mr William Hogan said that this was because their ballot papers were regarded as "informal" as they had not filled them out correctly.

"Whatever these voters may have intended – their votes could not be counted to any candidate," he said.

Mr Hogan said that this was of particular importance when so many elections are won on very narrow margins, and had these votes passed the formality tests, they may have changed the result in some seats.

"As we go into the 1998 election there are 18 House of Representatives seats which need less than 400 votes to make them change hands. These are the seats that are held by less than half a percentage point," he said.

Each election the Australian Electoral Commission puts a lot of effort in trying to ensure that all voters know how to fill out their ballot papers correctly. But each time there are a number of wasted votes. The informality rate had been fairly stable for the last three elections: about 3% on the House of Representatives ballot paper and between 2.5% and 3.5% on Senate ballot papers.

Mr Hogan said that there was no single reason for this wastage of votes.

"They fall into a number of categories, but the major faults are using ticks and crosses and making mistakes in the numbering," he said.

"Ticks and crosses are used in many club or association elections, but not for parliamentary elections in Australia, where you have to use numbers."

In addition there are always a number of ballot papers which are put into the ballot box blank.

Mr Hogan said that the AEC would be running a heavy advertising campaign as polling day approaches, reminding people of the voting requirements. In addition, an elector leaflet with information on how to vote has been delivered to every household in the country.

"The message is simple. On the green House of Representatives ballot paper you have to number all squares in the order of your choice of candidates. No ticks, no crosses, and no squares left blank."

"Electors should be aware that following changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act, a House of Representatives vote marked 1,2,3,3,3,… etc. will no longer be counted as formal up to the point where duplication of numbers occurs," he said.

"Any vote marked in this way will be rejected as informal."

Mr Hogan said that on the white Senate ballot paper, voters can either choose to vote for just one party or group above the line or they can number every box below the line in the order of their preferences.

The instructions of how to vote are written clearly on top of each ballot paper, and polling officials are available at polling places to assist.

Voting is a right and a duty for all enrolled citizens, Mr Hogan said, and it was important that no vote was wasted.

Further information:

Brien Hallett
Director Information
Ph. (02) 6271 4415

Bernadette O'Meara
Assistant Director Information
Ph. (02) 6271 4548