Voting in below‑the‑line‑squares or if no above‑the‑line squares
98E Voting in below‑the‑line‑squares or if no above‑the‑line squares
This section applies in a Council election where the relevant number is more than one if —
under section 98D(2)(b), (3)(b) or (4)(b), a voter votes by marking below‑the‑line squares on the ballot paper; or
there are no above‑the‑line squares on the ballot paper.
If this section applies because of subsection (1)(a), references in subsections (3), (4) and (5) to squares are references to below‑the‑line squares.
If there are 22 or more squares on the ballot paper, a voter must mark the voter’s vote on the ballot paper by —
placing —
the numeral 1 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom the voter votes as the voter’s first preference; and
consecutive numerals from 2 to 20 in the squares opposite the names of 19 other candidates in order of the voter’s preference for those candidates;
and
if the voter wishes, placing —
the numeral 21 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom the voter votes as the voter’s 21st preference; or
consecutive numerals from 21 in 2 or more of the squares opposite the names of other candidates in order of the voter’s preference for those candidates.
If there are 21 squares on the ballot paper, a voter must mark the voter’s vote on the ballot paper by —
placing —
the numeral 1 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom the voter votes as the voter’s first preference; and
consecutive numerals from 2 to 20 in the squares opposite the names of 19 other candidates in order of the voter’s preference for those candidates;
and
if the voter wishes, placing the numeral 21 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom the voter votes as the voter’s 21st preference.
If there are 20 or fewer squares on the ballot paper, a voter must mark the voter’s vote on the ballot paper by placing —
the numeral 1 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom the voter votes as the voter’s first preference; and
consecutive numerals from 2 in the squares opposite the names of the other candidates in order of the voter’s preference for those candidates.
[Section 98E inserted: No. 30 of 2023 s. 80.]
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