Episode 25
rd
3 September 2013
Activity
Preferential Voting
Key Learning
Students will run their own class election and investigate the key features of Australia’s voting system.
The Australian Curriculum
Mathematics / Number and Algebra / Number and
place value
Compare, order, add and subtract integers (ACMNA280)
Mathematics / Statistics and Probability / Data
representation and interpretation
Construct suitable data displays, with and without the use of
digital technologies, from given or collected data. Include tables,
column graphs and picture graphs where one picture can
represent many data values (ACMSP096)
Construct displays, including column graphs, dot plots and
tables, appropriate for data type, with and without the use of
digital technologies (ACMSP119)
Discussion Questions
1. After watching the BtN Preferential Voting story, explain how preferential voting works to another
student.
2. For a political candidate to win their seat in an election they need to...
a. Win half the votes
b. Win half the votes plus one
c.
Win 100% of the votes
3. What is the official name for someone that counts the votes in an election?
4. Not every country uses preferential voting. Can you name one?
5. Why are the advantages of a preferential voting system?
6. Why do minor parties prefer the preferential voting system?
7. What is the purpose of a “how to vote card”?
8. What is a polling booth?
9. Have you ever had to vote for someone or something? What was the process?
10. Can you name the three major Australian political parties? Who are their leaders?
©ABC 2013
Activities
What is preferential voting?
After watching the BtN Preferential Voting story, ask students to explain to one another the process of
preferential voting. Hold a class discussion to investigate further.
Discussion questions
Why does Australia use the preferential voting system?
What voting system is used in the United States?
What are the advantages of a preferential voting system?
Why do minor parties like the preferential voting system?
What does absolute majority mean? Explain to another student and then discuss as a class
Learn more about preferential voting via the Australian Electoral Commission’s animations and interactive.
http://www.aec.gov.au/Education/Democracy_Rules/interactives/voting_tool/index.htm
Learn how the full preferential voting system works
Work through a sample count and distribution
Use the voting tool to work out your own election
Glossary
Make a class glossary using the following words/terms (consider putting together a glossary before holding
the classroom election).
Election
Ballot Box
Ballot Paper
Candidate
Electoral Roll
Vote
Absolute Majority
Donkey Vote
Preferential Voting
How-to-vote cards
Poll
Scrutineer
Formal Vote
Informal Vote
Electorate
Refer to the Australian Electoral Commission’s glossary for more information.
http://www.aec.gov.au/footer/Glossary.htm
©ABC 2013
Run your own election
Running an election for your class provides the opportunity for students to participate in the democratic
process of choosing representatives for a range of purposes. Students will run their own election and
investigate how the preferential voting system works. This activity provides step-by-step instructions on how
to run a class election, further investigation tasks and related weblinks.
Step-by-step instructions
Further investigation
Weblinks
Using the preferential voting system, decide what you will vote on as
a class. For example hold a vote on what you will have for lunch (for
a shared class lunch) or vote on a class captain. It is important to
have a clear purpose for the election and ensure that the ‘voters’ are
also clear about what they are voting for.
As a class investigate the purpose of elections. Why do we have
elections? Compare and contrast two voting systems: ‘first-past-thepost’ and ‘preferential voting’. Complete a PMI chart or Venn
diagram.
Ask students if they have ever had to vote for someone or
something. What was the process? Does your school have student
representatives? If so, how are they elected?
How to run an election in your school
http://www.aec.gov.au/Education/Democracy_Rules/files/Teacher_G
uide_by_section/Runninganelection.pdf
Pick several students who will be in charge of the election. These
students will be referred to as polling officials, and assist with
running the election and counting the vote.
It is important that the polling officials are not candidates in your
election and know the rules of your election. Polling officials make
sure the rules of the election are followed and can hear and act on
any complaints.
Organise a short training session for polling officials clearly outlining
their roles. Provide polling officials with role-play badges.
Who is responsible for conducting federal elections? What is the role
and the functions of the Australian Electoral Commission?
Overview of the Australian Electoral Commission
http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/index.htm
Make up your own school enrolment form for students to enrol in
their class election. This could be based on your existing class roll.
Why is it important that Australians are enrolled to vote?
©ABC 2013
Find out more about enrolment – 12 Terrific Enrolment Activities
http://www.aec.gov.au/education/files/year-of-enrolment-activitysheet.pdf
Make your own classroom ballot paper using the preferential voting
system.
Make your own classroom ballot papers or download one of the
Australian Electoral Commission’s templates. The ballot paper
usually has instructions for filling out the ballot paper, lists what
you’re voting for and where to put the ballot paper once you have
voted.
http://www.aec.gov.au/Education/Democracy_Rules/ballottemplates.htm
Make your own classroom screens to ensure voting can be secret.
What is a secret ballot? Investigate the history of the secret ballot –
when was it introduced in Australia?
Hold your classroom election using a preferential voting system.
Practise how to vote! Use the Australian Electoral Commission’s
voting tool to get a feel for what it’s like voting in a federal election.
http://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/How_to_vote/practice/
Once the class has voted, work with the polling officials to count the
votes and then announce the results. Use the Australian Electoral
Commission’s scrutiny chart to count your votes.
http://www.aec.gov.au/education/Democracy_Rules/files/Teachers_
Toolbox/5_Conducting_Elections/Scrutiny_Chart.pdf
What is preferential voting? As a class find a definition.
Take a look at the Australian Electoral Commission’s slide show
explaining how preferential voting works.
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/education/education-prefslideshow.html
©ABC 2013
 Related Research Links
Australian Electoral Commission – The Full Preferential Voting System (animations/interactive)
http://www.aec.gov.au/education/Democracy_Rules/interactives/voting_tool/index.htm
Behind the News – Preferential Voting
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2960412.htm
Behind the News – Aussie Kids Vote 2013
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/government.htm
Behind the News – Youth Vote
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3809181.htm
Australian Electoral Commission – 12 Terrific Enrolment Activities
http://www.aec.gov.au/education/files/year-of-enrolment-activity-sheet.pdf
Electoral Council of Australia – Electoral Systems: Preferential Voting Systems
http://www.eca.gov.au/systems/single/by_category/preferential.htm
©ABC 2013