I am so sick and tired of hearing stuff like “If you vote for <insert party here> they are giving their preferences to <insert major party here>. So that’s a vote for <prime ministerial candidate here>!” I’m not sure if I can make this any clearer, but:
NO IT’S NOT
Let’s cover voting basics. In the House of Representatives, you number each box from 1 to n, where n is the number of candidates on the ballot.
So whoever you number 1 is your first preference, number 2 is your second preference and so on. The person who you voted as preference 1 does not decide what happens to your preferences. You do!
In the Senate, you have two options. Option one is that you can put a number 1 above the line.
This means that you will vote for their senate ticket(s). Before every election, each party which has a box above the line tells the Australian Electoral Commission how to distribute their votes. So if you vote above the line, you vote will be determined by the party you voted for. This is the only way in which a party or group can do what they want with your votes.
Option two is to vote below the line. This is where you number each box from 1 to n, where n is the number of senate candidates in your state.
In works much the same way as in the House of Representatives. You decide who gets your first preference, second preference and so on. The person you put as number 1 does not decide what happens with your preferences.
I believe that it’s important to be informed, not scared by faceless people telling you that a vote for someone is a vote for someone else. Decide for yourself who will receive your preferences and number below the line. Or at least research the senate group tickets first. I recommend Antony Green’s guide over on ABC Elections. He also has good information on all this preference stuff and how it works.
Be informed. Don’t be fooled.
ETA: Viv pointed me to this brilliant site called Vote Below The Line! It can help you with deciding how to direct your preferences when voting below the line. It asks who you want to vote for, shows you the preferences that they have and then helps you to change them to suit the way you want to vote. Thanks Viv!
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