Legal Definitions - Australian ballot

The Australian ballot refers to a system of voting designed to ensure the secrecy and fairness of elections. Under this system, the government prints the ballots at public expense, listing all candidates for each office or all options for a referendum. These official ballots are distributed only at designated polling places on election day, and voters mark their choices in private, typically within a voting booth, before depositing their ballot. This method prevents intimidation, vote-buying, and ensures that each voter's choice remains confidential.

• Example 1: National Presidential Election

  During a national presidential election, a citizen arrives at their local polling station. An election official provides them with a single, official ballot that was printed by the national election commission. This ballot comprehensively lists all presidential candidates from every registered party. The voter then takes the ballot into a private voting booth, marks their preferred candidate, and places the completed ballot into a sealed ballot box.

  This illustrates the Australian ballot because the government prepared the official ballot, it listed all eligible candidates, it was distributed solely at the polling place, and the voter marked it in secret, ensuring the privacy of their choice.

• Example 2: Local School Board Referendum

  A town is holding a special election to decide on a bond measure for funding a new school building. Residents arrive at the town hall, where election officials hand them a ballot provided by the municipal government. This ballot clearly presents the "Yes" and "No" options for the funding proposal. Voters step into a private area, mark their choice, and then submit their ballot, ensuring their decision is not known to others.

  This demonstrates the Australian ballot system as the municipal government prepared and distributed the official ballot, it contained all options for the referendum, it was issued at the polling place, and voters cast their vote privately, maintaining confidentiality.

• Example 3: State Primary Election

  For a state primary election, voters arrive at their assigned precinct. An election judge hands them a ballot that was printed by the state election board. This ballot includes all candidates from the voter's registered party for various state and local offices. The voter then proceeds to a private voting booth, marks their selections, and places the completed ballot into an electronic scanner or secure ballot box, ensuring their choices remain confidential.

  This exemplifies the Australian ballot because the state government prepared and distributed the official ballot at the polling place, it listed all eligible candidates for the primary, and voters cast their votes in secrecy, upholding the integrity and privacy of the election process.