Promising number of postal votes ahead of Senate election

Date
    April 4, 2014


Voter fatigue is not likely to prevent people from taking part in Western Australia's re-run Senate election this weekend, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) insists.      

Voters on Saturday will elect six senators from 77 candidates with the coalition, Labor, the Australian Greens, Palmer United Party and myriad micro parties fighting for the upper house seats.            

It is the third election in WA in just over a year after a state election in March last year and the September federal election, not including local government elections that had a low voter turnout.

But Phil Diak from the AEC said voter fatigue did not appear to be a problem, judging by early votes.

"As of yesterday morning, with two days to go, we'd had 100,000 pre-poll votes, which is virtually identical to 2013," he told ABC radio on Friday.

"Of the 130,000 postal vote applications, 85,000 had been returned.

"So 185,000 people had voted, which is really well over 10 per cent of the total electoral roll, which is about 1.48 million, so trends are good."

However, Defence Minister David Johnston said he was concerned about voter fatigue and a lack of interest that could benefit minor and micro parties.

The WA-based minister, who is the lead candidate on the Liberal's Senate ticket, said he was expecting a voter turnout of 70 to 75 per cent, or lower.

"How that plays out in our voting system with its preferential deals done, who would know?" he told the ABC.

"It's very, very interesting and confusing."

The AEC copped further criticism this week when it was revealed 75 votes at an aged care facility were declared invalid because a ballot box was not properly secured.

Those people would be re-polled on Friday, Mr Diak said.

He said voting was compulsory unless a person had a valid excuse for not voting, such as a sudden hospitalisation or travelling overseas.

Those without a valid reason will be fined $20.

Mr Diak said anyone who voted in September's election elsewhere in Australia but had since moved to WA could vote again.

With other voters coming of age and some dying, the voter numbers had now increased overall by 28,000, he said.

There will be 738 polling places open on Saturday from 8am to 6pm (WST).

During the previous election, WA had the lowest voter turnout in the country.

A fresh Senate election was ordered in WA and an official inquiry launched after the AEC lost 1370 votes during a recount.

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/promising-number-of-postal-votes-ahead-of-senate-election-20140404-363ej.html#ixzz2xyHher00

I find 'voter fatigue' an interesting term.  Yes, WA people will have voted in three elections in a year.  But, how fatiguing is it to get out of bed, have a coffee, breakfast with the family and go and vote.  I am just thankful that we can vote!

He said voting was compulsory unless a person had a valid excuse for not voting, such as a sudden hospitalisation or travelling overseas.

Those without a valid reason will be fined $20.   

The most interesting question is how many votes will disappear this time.

Already voted this morning.....No one handing out Clive Palmer how to vote cards which was strange considering how much he spent on advertising.....A lot of people taking Greens how to vote cards however which could see Scott Ludlam get up???

Lobo wrote on Apr 5^th, 2014 at 2:48pm:



ah yes froggie - a bag of fat cooked by a pusser's "chef" and presented in well fingered bread!  Fantastic!  At least the redders is usually fresh

philperth2010 wrote on Apr 5^th, 2014 at 3:22pm:


Do you really think Palmer is going to get many votes here? He just looks and sounds like a blow-in (or blow-hard). I don't think much will change really. Nobody likes Labor. Most people hates the Greens and the rest just tolerate libs.

philperth2010 wrote on Apr 5^th, 2014 at 4:50pm:


According to your ID you also live in Perth. You should therefore be aware that Labor are on the nose here more than any other state and get a substantially lower vote than the libs and nats. Clearly the word 'nobody' is not meant to be taken literally.