What happens if you draw on or write on a ballot paper?
Answer
Your vote may become informal and not be counted
Explanation
If you draw on or write on a ballot paper at an Australian federal election, your vote may be ruled informal and not counted, depending on what you write or draw. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) interprets ballots according to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the AEC Scrutineers Handbook.
Drawings and writings that identify the voter (such as the voter's name, address, signature, or any other personally identifying mark) make the ballot informal. Drawings of cartoons, political symbols, party logos, or graffiti are generally treated as marks that may render the ballot informal, particularly if they suggest a connection to a candidate or party not on the ballot. The secret ballot principle requires that ballots be unable to be linked back to a specific voter, so anything that compromises that principle can make the ballot informal.
Less serious markings may not necessarily invalidate the ballot. The AEC interprets ballots generously where the voter's intention is clear. Underlining or circling numbers is typically accepted. Small smudges or accidental marks (such as numbers crossed out and corrected) do not generally invalidate the ballot if the voter's intention to support specific candidates is clear. Single ticks or crosses used as the number 1 are accepted. The AEC's savings provisions try to preserve votes where the voter's preferences can be reasonably discerned.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, the AEC encourages you to ask a polling place official for a new one. The original ballot will be marked as spoilt and put aside (it will not be counted). A new ballot will be issued. There is no limit to how many spoilt ballots a voter can request, although the polling place worker may suggest taking more care with a replacement. Voters can also ask for help with filling out the ballot from an AEC official, who will assist in a neutral way without expressing any preference. Voters are not required to fill out the ballot in any particular order: the only requirement is that every box on the House ballot is numbered with consecutive numbers starting from 1.
Why this matters for your test
Knowing the rules around marking ballots helps new citizens avoid an accidental informal vote, and recognising the option to request a fresh ballot removes the pressure of getting it right first time.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
