Clive Palmer's party won't have its logo on ballot papers for the July 2 federal election after it missed a processing deadline.
Changes to voting laws made in March allow parties to have logos next to the name of their candidates so voters can more easily identify them.
The Palmer United Party (PUP) is among a dozen minor parties whose logo applications were still being processed when the election writs were issued on Monday, freezing the register of parties.
Another 33 parties did register logos, including the Liberals, Nationals, Labor, Greens and a host of micro parties.
Parties without registered logos would have a blank space next to the name of their candidates, an Australian Electoral Commission spokesman told AAP.
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The commission moved as quickly as possible after legislation cleared parliament to advise parties how they could register logos.
"It was done on a first-in, best-dressed process," the spokesman said.
The law requires proposed logos be advertised and one month allowed for any objections before they can be registered.
PUP's logo application was signed on May 5, two days before the election was called.
Mr Palmer said his party's logo was trade marked, which was stronger than an AEC registration.
"You should be able to use your trademark anywhere," he told AAP on Tuesday.
"It's just part of the move of the government to disadvantage minor parties."
A search of IP Australia's register shows PUP is registered as a word-only trademark without an image.
Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm accused the government of distorting democracy by setting an unreasonably tight timetable.
"Small parties who took more than a couple of days to design, adjust and lodge their logo missed out on having their logo appear on ballots, he said.
His party logo is registered, but not until the same day the writs were issued.
Other crossbench senators Jacqui Lambie, Glenn Lazarus, John Madigan, Nick Xenophon, Bob Day's Family First Party and Ricky Muir's Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party all had their logos registered in time.
