Alright, fellas… let's have a yarn about something that might seem as exciting as watching paint dry - preferential voting. We’re not telling you who to vote for, and frankly don’t care, but understanding this could change how you think about your vote.
The Two-Party Myth
Ever heard someone say, "What's the point? It's always Labor or Liberal"? That's a common gripe, but it's not the whole truth. Our voting system isn't just about picking one party and hoping for the best.
Enter Preferential Voting
In Australia, we use a system called preferential voting. Instead of ticking one box and calling it a day, you rank the candidates in order of preference. This means if your top choice doesn't get enough votes, your vote isn't wasted, it moves to your next preferred candidate, and so on.
Explained With Marbles
Now, if you're thinking, "That sounds complicated," you're not alone. But there's a bloke named Topher Field who breaks it down brilliantly using marbles. Seriously, it's the clearest explanation we’ve seen and the reason we are writing this.
“I'm 55 years old and I never knew how this worked, neither did my wife or kids. This should be compulsory education for everyone” ~ Commentor
He walks you through how your vote flows from one candidate to another until someone comes out on top.
Why It Matters
Understanding this system is crucial. It means you can vote for who you truly support without feeling like you're throwing your vote away. Your preferences can still influence the outcome, even if your top pick doesn't win.
Politics might not be your favourite topic, next election day, don't just wing it. Take a few minutes to understand preferential voting. Watch the video & learn something new… we did.
