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RE: The Inner Machinations of the Democratic Process
Great Post. Donkey votes are a result of the current system of enforced voting. I have thrown Donkey votes in before, disillusioned with the candidates and the whole system. I would have preferred to not vote on those occasions.
depends on the definition of donkey vote. I've always thought they were where the candidates are numbered 1-5 down the page in order. There's no way of telling though if that was a donkey vote, or just the way that voter wanted their preferences allocated. After all it's still a valid formal vote, as opposed to missing a number or leaving it blank, which would be an informal.
I'm interested in the differences in how this worked to how the elections I've worked on (in WA, state and federal), specifically with regards to the counting process, as there are a few differences.
We couldn't allow any non-employees in to do the count, so volunteers for any party are out, and only those being paid by the AEC were allowed in.
When handing out the ballots, we actually advise 1 single fold of the ballots, though with senate (I know Qld doesn't have that), we realise more is needed to just fit it in the ballot box.
First count is all the #1 preferences, and any informals are set aside to be checked and counted as informal.
Then Redistribute the votes from the lowest candidate to their second preferences. Repeat until only 2 candidates are left, and the one with more votes has won. I assume the process of choosing the 2PP from the primary allocation instead of having it come out dynamically through the redistribution is purely a short cut when the top 2 are already obvious, otherwise it only effectively matters where you put 2 numbers. (whoever you want at #1, and which of the top 2 may as well be #2)
Quite interesting hearing how the rest of the before works though, as it's certainly something most of the public don't know about, or even consider unless they know someone that's run
Thats basically exactly the same as we have here. a vote 1-5 in order is perfectly valid.
We are only allowed in the room to watch, can't touch or help in any way what so ever.