Australia's Voting Process: Compulsory Preferential Voting

Key Features

• Compulsory: All eligible citizens (18+) must enrol and vote (fine ~$20–$50 for non-voting without valid reason).
• Preferential (Instant-Runoff): Rank candidates 1, 2, 3… If no majority on first preferences, lowest eliminated, preferences distributed until one candidate >50%.
• Saturday Elections: Polls 8 AM–6 PM. Vote at any booth in your division (or interstate/overseas via early/postal).

Step-by-Step

1. Enrolment: Automatic via AEC (tax, Centrelink, driver's licence) or manual form.
2. Election Announced: Writs issued, ~5–6 week campaign.
3. Vote: Show ID, get ballot papers (green House, white Senate), number preferences in private booth.
4. Count: Scrutineers observe. House counted election night; Senate takes weeks.
5. Result: AEC declares winners. Government formed by party/coalition with House majority.

Run by the independent Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).