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Election 2019: How does Australia's preferential voting system work?

Vote counting
Source: AEC

Under Australia's preferential voting system, voters can rank the candidates for both Houses of Parliament from most-preferred to least-preferred. Counting the ballots is process of elimination based on the preferences until one candidate secures an absolute majority - which can trigger complex "preference deals" between parties and candidates in the lead-up to voting day.


Published

By Greg Dyett

Presented by Carol Kalauz

Source: SBS




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Under Australia's preferential voting system, voters can rank the candidates for both Houses of Parliament from most-preferred to least-preferred. Counting the ballots is process of elimination based on the preferences until one candidate secures an absolute majority - which can trigger complex "preference deals" between parties and candidates in the lead-up to voting day.



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