Comment on Discussion Thread 🗳️ Saturday 3 May 2025

sqgl@beehaw.org ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

• StudChud@aussie.zone ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  It’ll still count afaik

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  • sqgl@beehaw.org ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    Although my intention was clear I don’t think my vote will count. This is what the AEC says when I practice, numbering only 5 boxes. Image

    And in the section on “vote saving provisions” it says:

    For Senate ballot papers the requirement for a formal vote is that when voting above the line, at least the numbers 1 to 6 shall be marked in the squares on the ballot paper (see subsection 239(2)).

    For voting below the line, the requirement is that at least the numbers 1 to 12 are marked in the squares printed on the ballot paper (see subsection 239(1)). However, there is a vote savings measure that can operate where only one square is marked above the line (see section 269), or where voting below the line, at least six squares have been marked 1 to 6 using consecutive numbers (see section 268A).

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    • Pilk@aussie.zone ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Quote from page 14 of the “Ballot paper formality guidelines” published by the AEC on 14 August 2023:

      Senate guidelines
      Consecutive sequence of numbers – Above the line
      For an above the line vote (ATL), voters are instructed to consecutively number at least 6 boxes above the black line, in the order of their preference, commencing with the number ‘1’.
      […]
      However, where a voter consecutively numbers fewer than 6 boxes, (including only one box with a first preference) the ballot paper will still be formal, but will exhaust after the last consecutive number.

      In other words, if you only numbered 5 boxes above the line it does still count, it just exhausts sooner.

      Their practice voting tool has sensibly omitted the finer details, they always encourage people to vote “correctly”.

      Regardless of you definitely won’t make the same mistake next time I’m sure.

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      • StudChud@aussie.zone ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        Ah so I was right ah ha!

        That’s all I’m taking away from this 😂

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      • sqgl@beehaw.org ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        Thanks a lot. I am just one insignificant vote but it has bothered me disproportionately all afternoon.

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    • StudChud@aussie.zone ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Oops well, my bad. There’s always next election 😂

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• briongloid@aussie.zone ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  I was told the other week by a regular AEC worker that they still count votes like that if the intent is clear and if it isn’t a practical issue for the vote like the last missing.

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  • sqgl@beehaw.org ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    Like the last missing?

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    • briongloid@aussie.zone ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      He was pretty adamant that it would be included, so long as the preference flow didn’t go to that round.

      Not sure with the Senate tho, that was about the lower house.

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      • sqgl@beehaw.org ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        I was asking about Senate but it is good to know about Reps too. Mind you, it isn’t hard to fill all the boxes on that tiny ballot.

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