Melbourne

2047 readers

53 users here now

This community is a place created for the people of Melbourne and Victoria. We are a positive, welcoming and inclusive community. We might not agree about everything, but we always strive to stay civil and respectful.

The focus of our discussions is based around things that affect Victoria, but we are also free to discuss our local perspective on wider issues. Or head to the regular Daily Random Discussion thread to talk about anything.

Full Community Guidelines

Ongoing discussions, FAQs & Resources (still under construction)

Adoption Certificate for Nellie, the Daily Thread numbat (with thanks to @Catfish)

Feedback & Suggestions

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

lodion@aussie.zone

RustyRaven@aussie.zone

briongloid@aussie.zone

bot001@aussie.zone

YarraByte@aussie.zone

Discussion Thread 🗳️ Saturday 3 May 2025 (aussie.zone)

submitted 5 days ago by briongloid@aussie.zone to c/melbourne@aussie.zone

282 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Australian Federal Election Day

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

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.

I was hoping it would just say "you risk your vote being exhausted".

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).

[–] Pilk@aussie.zone 6 points 4 days ago (2 children)

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.

[–] StudChud@aussie.zone 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Ah so I was right ah ha!

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

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 4 points 4 days ago

Your faith in bureaucracy being sensible was correct...

this time.

[–] sqgl@beehaw.org 5 points 4 days ago

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

[–] StudChud@aussie.zone 3 points 4 days ago

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