We dont sign - they put a line thru our names (mostly to check we did vote, since you can be fined for NOT VOTING).Originally Posted by Crazed_Insanity
We have multiple polling booths we can go to (technically we could go at any/all of the thousands that exist across the whole country)
But even a "local vote" (ie a booth in my area) could be a dozen booths. They arent connected on the day, so I could go to each one and vote and they would only work it out later. If that did happen Id get in trouble and if the result was close it could cause the election to become invalid. "vote early, vote often"
As for "national standard" - thats a major flaw with the US system - its basically run at the state or even county level. We might have some odd rules, but its the same rules and voting method across the whole country. One organisation (independent of the Govt, but funded by them) runs the whole event - the Australian Electoral Commission.
We have some options other than turn up on the day at a local booth
- vote out of region on the day (they wont have a list of names to mark, but will record your name and let you vote - means that each place requires a pile of voting cards for all 150 electorates)
- vote by mail, this is an easy option, you need to "apply" but typically the major parties letter drop everyone with a "how to vote for us and how to apply for mail vote"
- pre-poll (before the day) at a special centre. I do this often, as I used to work on election day doing the tv coverage, so I was busy or even in our capital. Up to about two weeks before (which is when the nomination of candidates close) you can go and do a "vote early". Usually there is only 1 or 2 places in a given area. But in a city (where most of us are) its not too far. Interestingly your votes wont get counted on election day - so dont go towards the TV stations predictions of the winner.
As I mentioned above - we have basically only 1 way to vote (but several ways/times/places you can do it).
Thats pencil on paper. (we do have some options for visually impared...)
Here is a sample... https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/How_to...se-of-reps.htm
You must number every box and it must be clear - dont use the same number twice (actually you can number n-1 boxes! their sample wont let you do that! You can use a number that is too big eg 6 candidates use 1-5 and 7)
As for ID, I think only once have I been asked for ID. It was a state election, but just think it was a keen worker and early enough that there wasnt a queue slowing it all down!
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