Method of voting at elections
45 Method of voting at elections
To make a formal vote at an election a person must make a vote on the ballot paper—
if only one candidate is required to be elected—by placing the number
1 in the square opposite the name of the candidate of the voter's first preference and, if the voter so desires, by placing the number
2 and consecutive numbers in the squares opposite the names of other candidates in the order of the voter's preference for them;
if more than one candidate is required to be elected—by placing consecutive numbers beginning with the number 1 in the squares opposite the names of candidates in the order of the voter's preference for them until the voter has indicated a vote for a number of candidates equal to the number of candidates required to be elected and then, if the voter so desires, by continuing to place consecutive numbers for one or more additional candidates in the order of the voter's preference.
A tick or cross appearing on a ballot paper is equivalent to the number 1.
If—
a series of numbers (starting from the number 1) appearing on a ballot paper is non-consecutive by reason only of the omission of one or more numbers from the series or the repetition of a number (not being the number 1); and
if more than one candidate is required to be elected—the numbers are at least consecutive up to the number of candidates required to be elected, the ballot paper is not informal and the votes are valid up to the point at which the omission or repetition occurs.
A ballot paper is not informal by reason of non-compliance with this section if the voter's intention is clearly indicated on the ballot paper.
This Act’s bill:Second reading speech
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