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Australian Electoral Commission
In the early 1990s, most States and Territory elections had informality rates higher than Federal elections. As Federal election informality increased in the late 1990s, most State informality levels dropped or stayed steady. Western Australia and Tasmania, and to a lesser extent the Northern Territory, have kept pace with Federal informality rates, with the other States and Territories staying below 4%.
States with optional preferential voting in the 1990s (Queensland and New South Wales) had lower levels of informal voting. Ticket voting provisions in South Australia have reduced '1 only' informality within a full preferential system.
A significant indicator for an increase in informal voting seems to be a change to the electoral system. In NSW, WA and the ACT, significant changes to the voting system were followed at the next election by a jump in informality. Excepting any further changes to State or Federal electoral systems, Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT could be expected to maintain low levels of informal voting in the future, while full preferential systems like WA remain close to Federal informality levels.
Electoral Council of Australia, Electoral Systems.http://www.ecanz.gov.au/systems/index.htm
Antony Green, 2003 NSW Election – Final Analysis 6/03 http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/0b6a6c32165cf914ca256ecf000c918b/$FILE/nswlc2003.pdf
Victorian Electoral Commission, Comparison of Electorates http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/statecomparison.html
Electoral Commission of Queensland, Queensland Ballot Paper Survey 2004 http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=230
Electoral Commission of Queensland, Statistical Returns 2001 & 2004 http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=229
South Australian State Electoral Office, 2006 Election Results and Outcomes. http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/archive/2006/pdf/Results_and_Outcomes_Booklet3.pdf
South Australian State Electoral Office, Past Election and Referendum Results http://www.seo.sa.gov.au/apps/news/?sectionID=12
Antony Green, Unique Features of South Australian Elections http://www.abc.net.au/elections/sa/2006/guide/ticketprefs.htm
Western Australian Electoral Commission, 2005 Informal Voting Summary http://www.waec.wa.gov.au/download/2005%20State%20General%20Election%20Report.pdf
Western Australian Electoral Commission, Previous Elections http://www.waec.wa.gov.au/elections/state_elections/election_results/
Northern Territory Electoral Commission, Past Election/Referendum Results http://www.ntec.nt.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Elections ACT, Election Results http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.