Do you remember the last election? It seemed to me that there were so many people complaining that "I don't want my preferences going to someone that I don't want them to!" or "Why should I trust (INSERT FAVOURITE DEMON PARTY HERE) to give my vote to (INSERT OTHER FAVOURITE DEMON PARTY HERE)".
Well, there's a whole bunch of elections due in Australia in 2001. This is what the Australian Electoral Commission has to say:
What is a "how-to vote" card?
Political party workers outside the polling place may give you a how-to-vote card suggesting you vote for a particular candidate or party. You do not have to accept these cards. Its up to you how you vote. While elector’s may choose to follow a how-to-vote card, the final decision regarding preferences is in the hands of each elector.
(Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia 2000)
What's that last line?
"the final decision regarding preferences is in the (voter's) hands"
Yes folks, that's right, YOU get to choose who gets your preferences!
"But I don't know who all the candidates are?" I hear you whine.
Well, find out! As soon as an election is called in your area, keep an eye out in the local newspapers and your letterbox - you'll soon have a comprehensive list of all the "worthies" vying for your attention.
Then start looking at what they believe in.
Easy. Figure out, from all of the candidates, who you'd like most to represent you in Parliament. Who do you trust most to act on your behalf for the next three years? Give that person your first preference.
Then go on and do the same for your second preference and so on.
This is the beauty of the Preferential System. Unlike the First-Past-The-Post system, such as is used in the UK, if your first preference happens to get the least number of first preference votes, YOUR vote goes to YOUR second preference.
Look, I know it may seem complex but it's the best way there is to ensure that the majority of voters are ultimately satisfied with their representative. It can sometimes lead to a result like the 1998 Federal Election where the Coalition received less than 50% of the two-party preferred vote but that is rare.
What is most important is that each electorate received the representative that the majority of voters in that electorate preferred.
In a representative democracy, isn't that the point?
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If you would like more information on "DO-It-Yourself How-To-Vote" Cards, email me with the Subject Heading "DIYHTV"
Well, there's a whole bunch of elections due in Australia in 2001. This is what the Australian Electoral Commission has to say:
What is a "how-to vote" card?
Political party workers outside the polling place may give you a how-to-vote card suggesting you vote for a particular candidate or party. You do not have to accept these cards. Its up to you how you vote. While elector’s may choose to follow a how-to-vote card, the final decision regarding preferences is in the hands of each elector.
(Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia 2000)
What's that last line?
"the final decision regarding preferences is in the (voter's) hands"
Yes folks, that's right, YOU get to choose who gets your preferences!
"But I don't know who all the candidates are?" I hear you whine.
Well, find out! As soon as an election is called in your area, keep an eye out in the local newspapers and your letterbox - you'll soon have a comprehensive list of all the "worthies" vying for your attention.
Then start looking at what they believe in.
- Do they feel the same way you do about the issues that matter to you?
- Don't know? Ring and ask them!
- What do you mean they won't talk to you. Don't vote for them then - put them last in your preferences!
Easy. Figure out, from all of the candidates, who you'd like most to represent you in Parliament. Who do you trust most to act on your behalf for the next three years? Give that person your first preference.
Then go on and do the same for your second preference and so on.
This is the beauty of the Preferential System. Unlike the First-Past-The-Post system, such as is used in the UK, if your first preference happens to get the least number of first preference votes, YOUR vote goes to YOUR second preference.
Look, I know it may seem complex but it's the best way there is to ensure that the majority of voters are ultimately satisfied with their representative. It can sometimes lead to a result like the 1998 Federal Election where the Coalition received less than 50% of the two-party preferred vote but that is rare.
What is most important is that each electorate received the representative that the majority of voters in that electorate preferred.
In a representative democracy, isn't that the point?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like more information on "DO-It-Yourself How-To-Vote" Cards, email me with the Subject Heading "DIYHTV"
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