6 October 2004

In casting their vote at the 2004 federal election, it is up to every elector to decide the order they rank all the candidates on the ballot paper.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker today reminded electors that it was entirely up to them, not political parties, to decide where their preferences go on the ballot paper.

“Of course, candidates or political parties may advise their supporters to vote in a particular manner, but electors have the final say when filling in their ballot papers,” he said.

“Electors may choose to follow a party or candidate’s how-to-vote card or can decide for themselves how they will allocate their preferences.”

Mr Becker said that the AEC wanted to get this message across to all electors, as calls to the AEC’s call centre indicated that some electors were confused about how preferences were allocated.

Mr Becker said that electors had to number all the boxes on the House of Representatives ballot paper to ensure their vote counted.

“You must number all the candidates in the order of your choice. No numbers should be repeated and no squares left blank,” he said.

On the Senate ballot paper, electors can chose to follow the preference choice of a group they support by simply putting a number one in their box above-the-line.

“The AEC will then count the preferences on this ballot paper according to the list registered by that party or group,” Mr Becker said.

Booklets containing all the lists registered for the 2004 election will be available at every polling place on election day and on the AEC website.

“Electors who do not wish to follow a party’s list, can choose their own order of preferences by numbering all the squares below-the-line on the Senate ballot paper,” Mr Becker said.

“Either way, it is every elector’s right to get the full value from their vote.”

Further information:

Brien Hallett Ph. (02) 6271 4477
Assistant Commissioner, Mobile : 0413 274 798
Public Awareness, Media and Research

Phil Diak Ph. (02) 6271 4415
Director, Media and Communication Mobile : 0413 452 539