Strategic Preference Voting Guide
Australia's preferential voting system gives you the power to support independents and minor parties while keeping your preferences away from major parties for as long as possible. This guide shows you exactly how to maximize your voting impact.
House of Representatives Ballot (Green Paper)
Key Instructions:
- Number EVERY box - this is required for a valid vote
- Put your preferred independent or minor party candidates as 1, 2, 3, etc.
- Place Liberal and Labor candidates in your LAST positions
- Even if major parties are likely to win, giving high preferences to independents sends a message and contributes to their primary vote count
Example Strategy:
For a ballot with 6 candidates:
- Independent candidate
- Greens candidate
- Minor party candidate
- Another independent
- Labor candidate (second-last)
- Liberal candidate (last)
Practice Your Vote: Try the official AEC House of Representatives practice voting tool:
Practice House VoteSenate Ballot (White Paper)
Option 1: Below the Line Voting (More Control)
- You must number at least 12 boxes below the line for a valid vote
- Prioritize independent and minor party candidates with numbers 1-12
- Completely avoid giving any of these 12 preferences to Liberal or Labor candidates
- If you number more than 12 boxes (recommended), place major parties in your final positions
Option 2: Above the Line Voting (Simpler)
- You must number at least 6 boxes above the line
- Give your first 6 preferences to independent groups and minor parties
- Do not include Liberal or Labor in your 6 numbered boxes if possible
- If you number more than 6 boxes, place major parties last
Strategic Senate Voting Tips:
- Research the "microparties" - not all minor parties align with independent values
- Consider numbering at least 15-20 boxes below the line for maximum control
- Remember that in the Senate, each state elects multiple representatives
- In the Senate, the quota for election is lower (approximately 14.3%), making it more feasible for independents to win
Practice Your Vote: Try the official AEC Senate practice voting tool:
Practice Senate VoteCommon Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't just number 1 above the line in the Senate - this is no longer valid
- Don't mix above and below the line voting - choose one approach
- Don't assume all minor parties have similar policies - research them
- Don't leave gaps in your numbering sequence - this can invalidate your vote
- Don't forget that your preferences only flow if candidates are eliminated - understanding this helps strategic voting
Frequently Asked Questions
If I put a major party at position #10, does that mean I support them?
No. You're simply indicating that you prefer them over candidates you've ranked lower or not ranked at all. Your vote only flows to them if all your higher preferences have been eliminated.
Does voting for independents first help major parties?
No, it actually gives independents a better chance. In Australia's preferential system, your vote is never wasted - it will flow according to your preferences if your first choice is eliminated.
Should I follow "how to vote" cards from parties?
These cards reflect the party's preferences, not necessarily yours. If you want to support independents, make your own decisions about preference order rather than following a major party's suggestions.
Why should I number more than the minimum required boxes?
Numbering more boxes gives you greater control over where your preferences flow. If you only number the minimum, you have no say in what happens if all those candidates are eliminated.
What happens if I only number independent candidates and not the major parties?
If all the candidates you've numbered are eliminated and you haven't numbered any other candidates, your vote will become "exhausted" and won't count in the final count between remaining candidates. That's why it's generally better to number all boxes (for House) or more than the minimum (for Senate).