Some advice from a polling officer; we are the least scary people! If you're ever confused about what you're doing, or have any questions on polling day, please, please ask. We're more than happy to help. And remember if your first language isn't English, you are allowed to ask for a translator to help you with voting! Plus, you're allowed to use your phone at the booth to search about the views of independents you're not familiar with, so long as you're not broadcasting your voting preferences and not being told who to vote for- so feel free to Google someone if you don't recognize a name on your paper. When you're done, remember to put your papers in the right boxes, or take it back to the polling officer who gave them to you if you're absentee voting- you should be told if you're doing this, so don't worry. Again, ask questions if you're unsure. And then you're done! Go get a democracy sausage! Or other reward of your choice!
This is really brilliant, Australia. I knew that you had preferential voting, but my assumption of how it worked was quite wrong. In the U.S. one person gets one vote in each race. It's simple, but it's a train wreck if you have more than two viable candidates.
It’s so much better than first past the post (like you have in the US & UK) one example I always like to provide when explaining our voting method is this: there are 3 candidates, two are promoting trains and one is promoting bus lanes for an area, the final vote counts are 30%(train), 30%(train), 40%(bus) under a system where majority is simply elected, the bus candidate wins, but more people are unhappy because 60% of people voted for the train. But, if people ranked their choices second preferences will ‘flow’ and one of the train candidate will win, with 60% and 40%. It’s quite obvious how our system is much better by this simple example.
Very interesting video, thank you! I really like the idea of preferential voting, certainly feels more like having more choice since a vote for a smaller party wouldn't mean jeopardising a major party I might prefer over another.
Thanks for the video. I wish postal votes didn’t have any restrictions at all. I don’t know why they do. It’s a much better way to vote because (if you do choose) you can sit down in a relaxed, non-time-pressured environment and go through the parties and candidates at your leisure. I don’t understand why we restrict it.
The first time my younger brother voted in a federal election, he also stuffed up the numbering under the line. We had to wait for ages for him to come out to get our democracy sausages! Apparently he was too nervous to ask for another ballot. Numbering issues must be pretty common I reckon, especially when you want to number them all these days.
Your preferences decide if you want to help a major party by putting them 2nd, or not help them by putting them lower. If you put both really low, you won't help either of them. If your least preferred major party gets more than 50% of the first preference votes - then even if you voted for the other major party instead of a minor party, there's no way they would've gotten elected anyway. So there's no harm in voting for your favourite minor party, then preferencing a major party 2nd if you want to help that major party beat the other. And: the House of Representatives is where government is formed (the green ballot). So major parties want to get at least half the seats in the House of Reps, while they don't usually control the Senate. The Senate is often where minor parties and independents find the most success and so even if 75% of the Senate is a mix of minor parties - so long as there's 50% of one party (or group of parties like the Coalition which is 4 combined) in the House of Reps, then they form government outright.
@@AuspolExplained I thought even if you put both major parties at the bottom of your House of Representatives ballot paper, you will still help the one that you don't put last (if in fact the two major party candidates are the final candidates for your electorate). Am I mistaken? Also, I think a video of how the calculations for who gets in the senate would be interesting, because that part is still confusing to me since it doesn't go to an instant runoff.
Volunteers for parties hand out how to vote cards that tell you the correct way to fill in a ballot but with biased suggestions. They can't hand them out inside a polling centre only outside. Those working/volunteering for the AEC (I actually don't think people volunteer for the AEC as they advertise 100,000 temporary jobs so oops, ignore the word volunteer) cannot give out material that promotes a political party and must give accurate non-partisan information.
+13:10 re: electoral funding, so if I don't want any party to get federal election funding for my first preference, I should put the weakest candidate first, the one who I think cannot get 4%? Why not just give me a checkbox to consent to election funding, so I can vote normally?
You can vote however you want and if you don't want your preferred party/candidate to get $2.90 that can involve voting for the most obscure micro party you want. People have all kinds of motivations - even going so far as to create parties that explicitly say they're anti-government, though your idea is certainly less expensive of a protest.
How do they know the voter was identified and it was not a voter writing someone else's name? Or is it more you can't write any claim that the vote is by some person such as "My name is Scott Morrison and this is how I voted"?
You're asked to identify yourself before being given a ballot and then every reference of a person voting is cross checked to ensure there are no duplicates, as well as more measures to check and investigate. This can happen, however voter fraud is incredibly low in Australia and you're really just putting in a lot of effort to steal 1 vote away from another person and risking 6 months in jail for a crime that is inherently scrutinised and double checked to ensure it doesn't impact an election result. If there are grounds for enough fraud to have influenced an election the High Court can act as the Court of Disputed Returns and the AFP can get involved to investigate and interview witnesses, do a recount, exclude duplicate votes, and potentially undo the results of an election in an affected seat and call a by-election to resolve the issue.
@@AuspolExplained I was talking about the "self identification" part of your video and how this makes your ballot informal. You wouldn't be stealing anyone else's ballot, just making your own informal.
Oh sorry my mistake, I see how I completely misread your question. They can't prove any identifying marks are a specific person, but also can't prove they aren't. The Divisional Returning Officer is referred ballots that are marked to decide if a marked ballot could possibly identify a voter (not if they personally can identity them without a doubt) and decide if it's valid or not. So it is possible for you to hypothetically write a name on it but it be clear that this obviously isn't you, cannot identify you, and is still counted - however as I'm not a DRO I can't judge where that level of risk crosses over into reasonable for it to still count as formal. It's best not to write words on your ballot. It is however actually legal to draw on your ballot so long as it doesn't make it unclear your voting intention (though if you have a distinct drawing style and famous art perhaps best not to in case it happens to be recognisable).
Fun fact: in the last election I put greens as my first preference over Wilkie even though I like Wilkie more, because I thought the greens would be better able to make good use of the money they'd receive from my vote.
@@AuspolExplained like some of the votes for Greens, going to labor? Why? If you vote for the Greens, it should be for them only. So everyone is still voting for a major party whether they like it or not? I guess I'll vote......got no choice.
@@oilyragsgarage7200 That's not really what I explained. If you vote for a party that doesn't get in and you only express one opinion then your vote is wasted and it would strongly discourage anyone from voting anything but a major party and that wouldn't be democratic. Preferences best allow you to express your views on who should be on government and allow people to vote for minor parties without their vote not counting. Statistically most people who vote Greens vote for Labor 2nd, but that's a personal choice. There are several minor parties and you don't need to preference major parties 2nd or 3rd at all, so the idea that everyone ends up voting for a major party - especially when minor parties like Greens get elected - isn't really true. You have the power to put major parties last on your ballot if you don't like them, and thus by that point your preferences won't contribute to their election.
@@AuspolExplained you've explained that very well thanks. Just disgusted with the way both major parties are behaving at the moment. Very disappointing.
There are tons of political parties that can get elected state and/or federally. The AEC has a list of registered parties and hopefully you'll find one you like and see if they're running in your area
"Like & follow news outlets like the ABC". Now there's a great way to get a completely unbiased & factual idea on what the politicians / parties are doing. Not. Funny how the only people that actually think "your ABC" is unbiassed are the few people sheep that watch / listen / read it, to everyone else, they are a far left joke. Everything else about the video was pretty informative and spot on. Hopefully more people start to understand how it works and ignore the stupid how to vote cards.
Actually the issue with the ABC is that its entire board are appointments by the Liberal party so I shouldn't have said it's unbiased as it sometimes drifts from its editorial standards to be centre-right leaning. However given that the majority of media in Australia is right wing as it's owned by Newscorp and other right wing outlets, it comparatively has less bias and is far more balanced and comprehensive. All humans have bias - the ABC just tries harder not to let it show. The idea that they're centre left, let alone left/far left is absurd fiction.
Some advice from a polling officer; we are the least scary people! If you're ever confused about what you're doing, or have any questions on polling day, please, please ask. We're more than happy to help. And remember if your first language isn't English, you are allowed to ask for a translator to help you with voting! Plus, you're allowed to use your phone at the booth to search about the views of independents you're not familiar with, so long as you're not broadcasting your voting preferences and not being told who to vote for- so feel free to Google someone if you don't recognize a name on your paper.
When you're done, remember to put your papers in the right boxes, or take it back to the polling officer who gave them to you if you're absentee voting- you should be told if you're doing this, so don't worry. Again, ask questions if you're unsure. And then you're done! Go get a democracy sausage! Or other reward of your choice!
Good explanation. The "How to Vote" cards of parties are NOT instructions to you. You do not have to follow them. You decide your preferences.
Most underrated channel in Australia.
Agreed!!
Absolutely excellent explanation of what goes on....
Comment for the algorithm
I appreciate the boost
This is really brilliant, Australia. I knew that you had preferential voting, but my assumption of how it worked was quite wrong.
In the U.S. one person gets one vote in each race. It's simple, but it's a train wreck if you have more than two viable candidates.
It’s so much better than first past the post (like you have in the US & UK) one example I always like to provide when explaining our voting method is this: there are 3 candidates, two are promoting trains and one is promoting bus lanes for an area, the final vote counts are 30%(train), 30%(train), 40%(bus) under a system where majority is simply elected, the bus candidate wins, but more people are unhappy because 60% of people voted for the train. But, if people ranked their choices second preferences will ‘flow’ and one of the train candidate will win, with 60% and 40%. It’s quite obvious how our system is much better by this simple example.
Very interesting video, thank you! I really like the idea of preferential voting, certainly feels more like having more choice since a vote for a smaller party wouldn't mean jeopardising a major party I might prefer over another.
Save Australia's democracy and freedom. Vote the major three parties last
ua-cam.com/video/zLS3IfC-i6I/v-deo.html
I've been looking for a channel like this for months, why did it take me so long?
I don't know but I'm glad you found it!
Preferential voting is why we have an independent in my electoral district ayy
Thanks for the video. I wish postal votes didn’t have any restrictions at all. I don’t know why they do. It’s a much better way to vote because (if you do choose) you can sit down in a relaxed, non-time-pressured environment and go through the parties and candidates at your leisure. I don’t understand why we restrict it.
The first time my younger brother voted in a federal election, he also stuffed up the numbering under the line. We had to wait for ages for him to come out to get our democracy sausages! Apparently he was too nervous to ask for another ballot. Numbering issues must be pretty common I reckon, especially when you want to number them all these days.
The handbook on counting the ballot papers has some good rules on that. If the count was messed up the votes up to the mistake are still counted.
I am going with you one per one day.
It is very useful info in human life. Who is gonna be Rank 1 ?
Very informative thanx mate
Can I suggest for another video. The mystery, the myth... whatever happened to Victoria’s missing State Scepter?
Thanks for this, there's not a lot of info on this.
I think this election, I will be voting from the bottom up. So the one I like least will get voted last, and then work my way up
Good Video Mate.
If I vote in a minor party or independent how am I sure it won't help the ?
Also, which ballot is the one that puts in the major party?
Your preferences decide if you want to help a major party by putting them 2nd, or not help them by putting them lower. If you put both really low, you won't help either of them. If your least preferred major party gets more than 50% of the first preference votes - then even if you voted for the other major party instead of a minor party, there's no way they would've gotten elected anyway. So there's no harm in voting for your favourite minor party, then preferencing a major party 2nd if you want to help that major party beat the other.
And: the House of Representatives is where government is formed (the green ballot). So major parties want to get at least half the seats in the House of Reps, while they don't usually control the Senate. The Senate is often where minor parties and independents find the most success and so even if 75% of the Senate is a mix of minor parties - so long as there's 50% of one party (or group of parties like the Coalition which is 4 combined) in the House of Reps, then they form government outright.
@@AuspolExplained thank you so much c:
@@AuspolExplained I thought even if you put both major parties at the bottom of your House of Representatives ballot paper, you will still help the one that you don't put last (if in fact the two major party candidates are the final candidates for your electorate). Am I mistaken?
Also, I think a video of how the calculations for who gets in the senate would be interesting, because that part is still confusing to me since it doesn't go to an instant runoff.
best content
We all need to vote ALP, to be sure of binning this current mob!
I have been promised that there will be a we love penguins party on my next ballot. I will cry if I can't vote for the we love penguins party
What a great video
These volunteers you refer to at 3.50, are they the people handing out how to vote cards? They will surely give slanted advice.
Volunteers for parties hand out how to vote cards that tell you the correct way to fill in a ballot but with biased suggestions. They can't hand them out inside a polling centre only outside. Those working/volunteering for the AEC (I actually don't think people volunteer for the AEC as they advertise 100,000 temporary jobs so oops, ignore the word volunteer) cannot give out material that promotes a political party and must give accurate non-partisan information.
+13:10 re: electoral funding, so if I don't want any party to get federal election funding for my first preference, I should put the weakest candidate first, the one who I think cannot get 4%? Why not just give me a checkbox to consent to election funding, so I can vote normally?
You can vote however you want and if you don't want your preferred party/candidate to get $2.90 that can involve voting for the most obscure micro party you want. People have all kinds of motivations - even going so far as to create parties that explicitly say they're anti-government, though your idea is certainly less expensive of a protest.
Eep I didn't do my prep for under the line tomorrow and now it's 2.30am and my pulse is thumping in my head 😓
How do they know the voter was identified and it was not a voter writing someone else's name? Or is it more you can't write any claim that the vote is by some person such as "My name is Scott Morrison and this is how I voted"?
You're asked to identify yourself before being given a ballot and then every reference of a person voting is cross checked to ensure there are no duplicates, as well as more measures to check and investigate. This can happen, however voter fraud is incredibly low in Australia and you're really just putting in a lot of effort to steal 1 vote away from another person and risking 6 months in jail for a crime that is inherently scrutinised and double checked to ensure it doesn't impact an election result. If there are grounds for enough fraud to have influenced an election the High Court can act as the Court of Disputed Returns and the AFP can get involved to investigate and interview witnesses, do a recount, exclude duplicate votes, and potentially undo the results of an election in an affected seat and call a by-election to resolve the issue.
@@AuspolExplained I was talking about the "self identification" part of your video and how this makes your ballot informal. You wouldn't be stealing anyone else's ballot, just making your own informal.
Oh sorry my mistake, I see how I completely misread your question. They can't prove any identifying marks are a specific person, but also can't prove they aren't. The Divisional Returning Officer is referred ballots that are marked to decide if a marked ballot could possibly identify a voter (not if they personally can identity them without a doubt) and decide if it's valid or not. So it is possible for you to hypothetically write a name on it but it be clear that this obviously isn't you, cannot identify you, and is still counted - however as I'm not a DRO I can't judge where that level of risk crosses over into reasonable for it to still count as formal. It's best not to write words on your ballot. It is however actually legal to draw on your ballot so long as it doesn't make it unclear your voting intention (though if you have a distinct drawing style and famous art perhaps best not to in case it happens to be recognisable).
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Reported. Vampire discriminating misinformation in this video.
AEC-senpai! Notice me!
Fun fact: in the last election I put greens as my first preference over Wilkie even though I like Wilkie more, because I thought the greens would be better able to make good use of the money they'd receive from my vote.
Every party should be for itself, I thought this was a democracy?
Every party for itself how? Could you elaborate on what you mean please?
@@AuspolExplained like some of the votes for Greens, going to labor? Why? If you vote for the Greens, it should be for them only. So everyone is still voting for a major party whether they like it or not? I guess I'll vote......got no choice.
@@oilyragsgarage7200 That's not really what I explained. If you vote for a party that doesn't get in and you only express one opinion then your vote is wasted and it would strongly discourage anyone from voting anything but a major party and that wouldn't be democratic. Preferences best allow you to express your views on who should be on government and allow people to vote for minor parties without their vote not counting. Statistically most people who vote Greens vote for Labor 2nd, but that's a personal choice. There are several minor parties and you don't need to preference major parties 2nd or 3rd at all, so the idea that everyone ends up voting for a major party - especially when minor parties like Greens get elected - isn't really true. You have the power to put major parties last on your ballot if you don't like them, and thus by that point your preferences won't contribute to their election.
@@AuspolExplained you've explained that very well thanks. Just disgusted with the way both major parties are behaving at the moment. Very disappointing.
There are tons of political parties that can get elected state and/or federally. The AEC has a list of registered parties and hopefully you'll find one you like and see if they're running in your area
"Like & follow news outlets like the ABC". Now there's a great way to get a completely unbiased & factual idea on what the politicians / parties are doing. Not. Funny how the only people that actually think "your ABC" is unbiassed are the few people sheep that watch / listen / read it, to everyone else, they are a far left joke. Everything else about the video was pretty informative and spot on. Hopefully more people start to understand how it works and ignore the stupid how to vote cards.
Actually the issue with the ABC is that its entire board are appointments by the Liberal party so I shouldn't have said it's unbiased as it sometimes drifts from its editorial standards to be centre-right leaning. However given that the majority of media in Australia is right wing as it's owned by Newscorp and other right wing outlets, it comparatively has less bias and is far more balanced and comprehensive. All humans have bias - the ABC just tries harder not to let it show. The idea that they're centre left, let alone left/far left is absurd fiction.