On Saturday 4 May elections will be held in three Legislative Council electorates – Montgomery, Nelson, and Pembroke.
Montgomery will elect a brand new Legislative Council member after the retirement of Legislative Council President Sue Smith.
In Nelson, the 18-year incumbent, Jim Wilkinson, will be looking to make it 24 years on the trot, and in Pembroke, relative newcomer Vanessa Goodwin will be aiming to shore up a lengthy stay of her own in the red chamber.
Voting in these elections is compulsory for those who are resident in each of the respective electorates. For the purposes of providing correct information, the following section describes the requirements for a formal vote – a vote that will be counted
1. How to lodge a formal vote (please feel free to skip this section, if you do not intend to cast a formal vote)
The Electoral Act 2004 (TAS) provides at section 100 as follows:
‘Instructions on ballot papers
(1) Instructions on the ballot paper are to indicate that –
(a) the elector is to number the boxes from 1 to a number (being the number of candidates) in order of choice; and
(b) the elector’s vote will not count unless the elector numbers –
(i) in the case of an Assembly ballot paper, at least five boxes; and
(ii) in the case of a Council ballot paper, at least the number of boxes required under section 102(2)(a).
The Electoral Act 2004 (TAS) provides at section 102 (2)(a) as follows:
‘Marking of ballot papers
(2) In respect of a Council election, an elector –
(a) must mark the ballot paper by placing, without omission or duplication –
(i) if there are more than 3 candidates, the numbers 1, 2 and 3 in the boxes next to the names of the candidates in order of preference; or
(ii) if there are 3 candidates, the numbers 1 and 2 in the boxes next to the names of the candidates in order of preference; or
(iii) if there are 2 candidates, the number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate of first preference; and
(b) may place further consecutive numbers in any or all of the remaining boxes next to the names of the remaining candidates.’
The Handbook for Legislative Council Candidates describes the same requirements in marginally simpler language (see the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website athttp://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/LegislativeCouncil/LC_PDF/2011%20-%20LC%20Candidates%20Handbook.pdf), as follows:
‘By following the instructions at the top of the ballot paper the elector can be assured that their vote will be fully counted. If an elector does not mark the minimum number of preferences as specified at the bottom of the ballot paper, the ballot paper will be declared informal.
For Legislative Council elections, the number of candidates determines the minimum number of preferences required for a formal vote.’ (page 22)
‘Formal votes
To cast a valid vote and elector must initially mark the ballot paper as follows:
• where there are more than 3 candidates, placing the numbers 1,2 and 3 in the boxes next to the names of the candidates in order of preference; or
• where there are 3 candidates, placing the numbers 1 and 2 in the boxes next to the names of the candidates in order of preference; or
• where there are 2 candidates, placing the number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate of first preference.
The elector may then place further consecutive numbers in any or all of the remaining boxes next to the names of the remaining candidates.’ (page 25)
2. What constitutes an informal vote – the official blurb, once again from the Handbook for Legislative Council candidates.
‘Informal votes
A ballot paper is informal if:
• no vote has been recorded on it;
• it is not marked in accordance with section 102(2);
• it contains any unauthorised marking or writing which will (in the opinion of the election official responsible) enable a person to identify the elector concerned;
• it has not been:
– authenticated by the initials of the election official; or
– authenticated by an approved mark.
A ballot paper will not be treated as informal if in the opinion of the returning officer the elector’s intention is clear.
A repetition or omission of a preference after the number 3 does not make the ballot paper informal. The preferences preceding the error on such ballot papers will beincluded in the scrutiny.’ (page 25)
3. How to cast an informal vote – some suggestions, now that everyone is perfectly clear about how to cast a formal vote.
If an elector wishes to cast an informal vote, they may like to consider one of the following:
• Fold the ballot paper around an old key, with a random number written on it.
• Draw cartoon caricatures of the candidates beside their names on the ballot paper, and given them a cartoon name each. Be as offensive as you like – no-one will know it was you.
• Turn the ballot paper over and scrawl ‘I can’t find the squares. Where the fuck are the squares?’ on the back.
• Add an extra square, write your pet’s name next to it, and number it 1. Attach a picture of your furry friend for identification purposes.
• Play parliamentary Perfect Match, and write the name of each candidate’s ideal parliamentary match next to his or her name. Like Vanessa Goodwin and Tony Mulder, for example.
• If the Tasmanian Forests Agreement bill is still in legislative limbo (which it probably will be) write ‘yes’ in the square if you think the candidate supports it, and ‘no’ if you think they don’t.
• Translate the entire ballot paper into Russian and mark the boxes with Cyrillic characters. Don’t worry if your Russian isn’t perfect.
• Fold a spare $5 bill into an unmarked ballot paper and scribble ‘IOU another $1 000’ across it.
• Write the following – ‘I think I’m in the wrong place. I’m sure Nelson (or Pembroke or Montgomery) isn’t my local council. If it is, where do I complain about the garbage service?’
• Smear the ballot paper with chocolate – you know what it looks like.
• Smear the ballot paper with egg white – you know what THAT looks like.
• Write ‘Do not bend’ across the ballot paper, and then douse it with hairspray.
• If you’re voting in Nelson, leave the following note: Hey Jim and Tom, we’re filming a new flic next week, and I could use you both. It’s called ‘Red Velvet Riders’. Call me on (insert fictitious phone number). Talk soon, studs. Dick Thruster. Ramrod Productions.
• Cross out the candidate’s names, and replace them with appropriate porn star monikers –use your imagination freely.
• Bake some gooey cookies and wrap one in your ballot paper. The lucky ballot counter who picks it up can have it with a nice cup of tea.
• Fill your ballot paper correctly, take a Polaroid photo of it, and lodge the photographic replica (this one is probably untested).
• Decorate the ballot paper however you wish, fold it carefully, and then secure the fold with a liberal application of superglue.
• Complete the ballot paper correctly, and sign it ‘Best of luck, Regards, John Smith’.
• Draw smiley faces in the boxes of the candidates you like, and upside down smiley faces in the boxes of those you don’t like. Take yellow and blue coloured pencils to colour them in.
• Enter a meditative trance in the polling booth, and ‘think’ the numbers on to the ballot paper. The ballot counters shouldn’t have too much trouble divining your wishes.
Any other ideas are most welcome.
‘The Subversive Voter is known to the Editor. Responsibility for election comment is taken by Lindsay Tuffin, 9 Phoenix St, Howrah 7018.
