Voting for dummies In Australia it is compulsory to enrol to vote, and compulsory to attend a polling booth or cast an absentee vote, you are not how ever forced to mark a vote on the ballot paper. To cast a valid vote you must mark a preference for every candidate in your electorate area, IE: if there are 6 lower house candidates, you must mark using a number 1 in the candidate you prefer most, then continue to number all boxes through to 6. If you mark a 1 in only one box, your vote may still vote, but your vote will then be passed on through preferences to the other candidate chosen by the candidate in the box you marked. In the upper house (senate) there will be lots of candidates, up to 70, and the same rule apply, but in the senate you have the direct option of marking 1 box above the line, and that candidate or party will deal with the preferences for you “Some boxes above the line will be left blank” they are the Independents, you must still mark the blank box, but the names for that box are below the line (quite dodgy hey) If you turn up to a polling booth and your name is not on the roll (this happens more often than you would think) and you believe there is a mistake, you can ask to still cast a vote, ask for a polling booth manager . You will be given a pencil and paper, I suggest taking a pen, if you make a mistake you can cross it out and make another mark, as long as your intention is clear (not sure I like this) you also have the right to ask for another ballot paper Check out who the candidates are and what they stand for, so you can cast an informed vote. Take into account if a candidates gets more than 3% support, for every number one vote cast, they will get tax payer funding of around $2.76. The counting of votes is called 2 party preferred, so it can be more about the last preferences than the first, so I suggest you vote based on your heart, who would you prefer to represent me, not the media coverage of leaders that come and go. If you attend to vote and are not on the electoral roll, you may just be in the wrong electorate, as the boundaries change between elections at times, again you can either drive to the right booth in the right electorate, or cast an absentee vote. If you decide you need to cast a postal vote, make sure your application goes into a reply paid envelope that is addressed to the electoral commission; you will find most are not. Make sure you know how to vote before you arrive at the polling booth, there have been times when how to vote cards being handed out have been dodgy, so don’t let another trick you into voting for the wrong person. The Polling booth staff will be very helpful, so ask questions if you have any. Never be told where to vote by others, don’t believe the spin, you vote is worth much more than that, if you believe a candidate or their party has done the area or nation wrong, put them last, if you want change, or wish to punish false promise, change our health care, voting system, whatever you would like to see changed, this is the only say you get, so use it wisely If you cast a heartfelt and educated vote, that is valid (ie the ballot paper is filled in properly) you have done democracy well. Best of luck, Mark Aldridge Independent for Wakefield SA. A review below and the home page has more details for those who wish to learn more, or contact the AEC in your state QUICK GUIDE TO VOTING overview Ensure you are enrolled as soon as the election is called, by way of phoning the State Electoral Commission, also ensure your children and parents are also As you must preference those you do not know and those you oppose, spend as much time as possible looking into the many candidates, number from 1 those you actually prefer, number backwards from the last those you oppose, and in most cases guess those in-between, always double check you have numbered every square. The blank boxes above the line are the independents, their names will be directly below the blank square, but you can still mark the blank square. If you make a mistake, you have the right to a replacement ballot paper, so know your rights. If possible arrange to help those of your family in need, those in Hospital and nursing homes, take any info on the candidate you can find, to ensure they have some hope of casting an informed vote. If you arrive to vote and your name is missing from the electoral roll, you have the right to cast an absentee vote, so demand it. Every one has the right to a vote, regardless of how they are dressed. If you will be away or workings etc, and need a postal vote, apply as soon as possible directly to the electoral commission, do not send your application in a reply paid envelope to a party office. If you experience any problems at the polling booth demand to speak with the booth manager. Complaints must be made to the electoral commissioner as soon as possible to bring accountability to any dodgy people or actions. Always take your vote seriously, and ensure it prefers those candidates that will best represent your community
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 19:04:26 +0000
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