How to fill out a council ballot paper
When you vote in a local council election, you are voting for who you want to represent you in the ward or council that you live in.
Ballot papers in local council elections
On your council ballot paper, you need to number every box in the order of your choice:
- write the number 1 in the box next to the candidate who is your first choice.
- write the number 2 in the box next the candidate who is your second choice.
- continue writing the numbers 3, 4, 5 and so on until you have a number in every box.
This is the only ballot paper you will receive, unless you are enrolled in Melbourne City Council.
Melbourne City Council elections
There are 2 elections in Melbourne City Council: one for the leadership team (lord mayor and deputy mayor) and one for the 9 councillors. If you are voting in this election, you will receive 2 ballot papers.
On the smaller leadership team ballot paper, each box represents a team of 2 candidates: lord mayor and deputy mayor.
You need to number every box in the order of your choice:
- write the number 1 in the box for the team that is your first choice.
- write the number 2 in the box for the team that is your second choice.
- continue writing the numbers 3, 4, 5 and so on until you have a number in every box.
On the larger councillor ballot paper, you can vote above the line for a group or below the line for individual candidates.
Above the line
If you vote above the line:
- write the number 1 in the box for the group you want to support.
- leave the rest of the ballot paper blank.
- do not write any numbers below the line.
If you vote above the line, your preferences will be allocated to the other candidates in line with the group voting ticket submitted by the group you've chosen.
A group voting ticket (GVT) is a statement on how each group gives preferences to other candidate groups. Every registered group voting ticket will be published on this website before an election.
Find group voting tickets for 2024 Melbourne City Council elections
Below the line
If you vote below the line:
- write the number 1 in the box next to the candidate who is your first choice.
- write the number 2 in the box next the candidate who is your second choice.
- continue writing numbers 3, 4, 5 until you have numbered every box.
- don't write any numbers above the line.
By voting below the line, you decide your preferences. For your vote to be counted you must number every box below the line.
Formal and informal votes
A ballot paper that is filled out correctly is called a formal vote. Formal votes are counted to determine the result of the election.
A ballot paper that has not been filled out correctly is called an informal vote. Informal votes cannot be counted toward the election result.
A ballot paper can be considered informal when someone:
- puts ticks, crosses, or any other symbol in the boxes
- does not number enough boxes
- misses or repeats numbers
- leaves the ballot paper blank.
Donkey votes
A ballot paper that is numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (and so on) in the same order that the candidates are listed, is known as a 'donkey vote'.
A donkey vote could be a voter not understanding how to vote, not caring how they vote, or could actually express the voter's true preferences.
If all the boxes are numbered, donkey votes are formal and count toward the election result.
Making a mistake
If you make a mistake, that's okay. You can cross it out and put the correct number next to it.
If you need a replacement ballot paper call us on 131 832, 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.