What to do if you make a mistake on a ballot paper

The short answer

to do if you make a mistake on a ballot paper

Tell a polling official before placing the paper in the ballot box. The formal replacement process protects ballot integrity and is safer than trying to conceal or annotate the mistake.

This guide explains the federal position first. State, territory and local elections can use different rules, dates and ballot systems, so the commission named on your election material is the final operational source.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

The correct procedure for a ballot paper mistake

If you realise you have made a mistake on your ballot paper before you have placed it in the ballot box, you should immediately return it to the polling official who issued it. Inform the official that you have made an error and require a replacement. The official will cancel the spoilt ballot paper following a formal process and issue you with a fresh one. You can then complete the new ballot paper correctly. This procedure is specifically set out in the Australian Electoral Commission official voting guidance and applies to both House of Representatives ballot papers, which are green, and Senate ballot papers, which are white.

It is important not to try to correct the mistake yourself by crossing out, using correction fluid, or writing additional notes on the paper. Such alterations risk making the ballot paper informal, which means it cannot be counted. Polling officials are trained to handle spoilt ballot papers discreetly and professionally. They are present at every polling place precisely to assist voters with this kind of issue. There is no penalty for making an honest mistake on a ballot paper, and requesting a replacement does not affect your right to vote or the secrecy of your ballot.

Evidence review

Why you must not place a mistaken ballot in the box

Once a ballot paper is placed in the ballot box, it cannot be retrieved or replaced. The ballot box is sealed and its contents are only opened during the official counting process after polls close. If you place a ballot paper containing a mistake into the box, the error cannot be corrected and the paper will be counted or set aside as informal based on the rules set out in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. An informal vote is one that has been completed incorrectly or not filled in at all, and informal ballot papers are not counted towards any candidate.

The secrecy and integrity of the ballot is a cornerstone of Australian federal elections. The ballot box system ensures that once a vote is cast, it is protected from tampering. This means that while polling officials can help you before you submit your ballot, they cannot access or alter any ballot paper that has already been deposited. For this reason, it is essential to review your ballot paper carefully before placing it in the box and to raise any concerns with a polling official while you are still holding the paper. Even if you have already left the issuing table, you can return to a polling official for help as long as the paper is still in your possession.

Evidence review

What polling officials do with spoilt ballot papers

When a voter returns a ballot paper because of a mistake, the polling official follows a formal procedure to cancel the spoilt paper. The official records the cancellation and securely retains the spoilt paper so that it is accounted for in the reconciliation of ballot papers at the end of polling day. This is important for the integrity of the election: every ballot paper issued must be accounted for, whether it was placed in the ballot box, spoilt and replaced, or otherwise unused. The spoilt paper is not placed in the ballot box and is handled separately in accordance with the legislative requirements under the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The polling official will then issue you with a fresh ballot paper of the same type. You should complete this new paper following the instructions: for the House of Representatives, number every box in order of your preference; for the Senate, vote either above the line by numbering at least six boxes, or below the line by numbering at least twelve boxes. Polling officials can explain these requirements but cannot advise you on which candidate to choose. If you are uncertain about how to fill in the paper, ask the official for guidance on the mechanics of voting before you start marking your replacement ballot paper.

Evidence review

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistakes that lead voters to spoil their ballot papers include numbering boxes incorrectly, skipping numbers, using ticks or crosses instead of numbers, or writing identifying information such as a name or signature on the paper. The Australian electoral system requires voters to use consecutive numbers to indicate their preferences. For House of Representatives ballot papers, you must place a 1 in the box next to your first-choice candidate, then 2, 3 and so on until every box has been numbered. For Senate ballot papers voting above the line, you must number at least six boxes. For below the line voting, you must number at least twelve boxes.

To avoid mistakes, take your time when completing your ballot paper. Find a quiet space at a voting screen in the polling place and read the instructions printed on the ballot paper carefully. There is no time limit for marking your ballot, and polling officials are available to answer questions about the process. If you have a disability or difficulty with reading or writing, you can ask a polling official or a person you bring with you to assist you in completing the ballot paper, provided the secrecy of your vote is maintained. Practise voting tools are available on the AEC website so you can familiarise yourself with the process before election day.

Evidence review

What happens after you leave the polling place

Once you have correctly completed your ballot papers and placed them in the appropriate ballot boxes, your vote is cast and the process is complete. There is no further action required from you, and you do not need to keep any receipt or record of having voted. If you later realise you may have made an error after leaving the polling place, unfortunately there is no mechanism to retrieve or change your ballot paper. This underscores the importance of checking your work before depositing the papers.

The polling officials at the polling place begin reconciling all ballot papers issued during the day after the polls close at 6 pm. This reconciliation includes accounting for spoilt papers that were replaced. The formal nature of this process is one of the safeguards that protects the integrity of Australian federal elections. If you have concerns about the voting process at your polling place, you can contact the AEC directly or speak with a scrutineer representing a candidate or political party who is present at the polling place to observe proceedings.

Common questions

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