How to cast a vote
Optional preferential
The optional preferential voting system is used when one or two vacancies need to be filled.
Electing one councillor or the mayor
Sample ballot paper - election of mayor
Directions for voting
Place the number “1” in the square next to the candidate of your choice. If you wish to vote for any more candidates, place consecutive numbers starting with “2” in the squares next to those candidates in order of your preferences for them.
Electing two councillors
In an election where there are two or more vacancies, candidates can form into groups on the ballot paper and have a group voting square for ‘above the line voting’, if two or more groups request it. In this case you can either vote above or below the line.
To vote above the line you must place the number “1” in a group voting square for the group of your choice. You may allocate preferences for other groups, starting with the number “2”.
To vote for individual candidates below the line you must place a “1” in the square next to the candidate's name of your first choice. You may allocate preferences starting with “2” to other candidates of your choice.
Proportional representation
The proportional representation voting system is used when three or more vacancies need to be filled.
Electing three or more councillors
The number of preferences required is at least equal to half the number of vacancies as shown in the ‘Directions for Voting’ on the ballot paper.
Where there are group voting squares on the ballot paper you can vote above the line by placing the number “1” in one group voting square. You may allocate preferences starting with “2” for other groups of your choice.
By placing a “1” above the line in only one group voting square, you have indicated preferences for all the candidates in that group, in their order on the ballot paper. The vote stops with the last candidate in that group and preferences do not continue to any other candidates on the ballot paper.
If you vote above the line and give your 1st preference to Group A, your 2nd to Group B and 3rd to Group F, and each group has seven candidates - you have given preferences 1–7 to the candidates in Group A, 8–14 to the candidates in Group B, and 15–21 to the candidates in Group F. In this case the vote stops with the last candidate in Group F and preferences do not continue to any other candidates on the ballot paper.
Alternatively, you can vote below the line for individual candidates by consecutively numbering from “1” in the order of your choice for at least half the number of vacancies. You may continue numbering as many other candidates as you choose to give them your preferences.
Sample ballot paper - no groups
Directions for voting
Place the numbers “1”, “2” and “3” in the squares next to the 3 candidates in order of your preferences for them. If you wish to vote for any more candidates, place consecutive numbers starting with “4” in the squares next to those candidates in order of your preferences for them.
Sample ballot paper – groups
You may vote in one of two ways:
EITHER - above the line
Place the number “1” in the square above the group of candidates for whom you wish to vote. If you wish to vote for additional candidates, place consecutive numbers beginning with the number “2” in the squares above the additional groups of candidates in order of your preferences for them.
OR - below the line
Place the numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5” and “6” in the squares next to the 6 candidates in order of your preferences for them. If you wish to vote for any more candidates, place consecutive numbers starting with “7” in the squares next to those candidates in order of your preferences for them.