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Australian Electoral Commission
The candidates for the 2026 Farrer by-election were officially announced today at a public event in Albury. A randomised ballot draw for positions on the ballot paper was also conducted.
Twelve candidates are contesting the by-election and the full list, in ballot paper order, is now available on the AEC website.
The number of candidates marks an increase to the nine candidates who contested Farrer at the 2025 federal election.
AEC State Manager for NSW Rebecca Main noted that the long ballot paper means voters must pay particular attention to the federal voting rules.
“It is a federal by-election – the voting rules are different to a NSW state election,” Ms Main said.
“People must number every box from 1 to 12 in the order of their choice for their vote to count.”
“A little research is a big part of voting, and that is particularly the case when there is a long list of candidates – our message is for Farrer voters to come to the polling place well prepared.”
Videos: Formal voting in Farrer & How preferential voting works
“We’ll be communicating with voters in Farrer in a variety of ways throughout the next few weeks to remind them of how to cast a formal vote.”
“In addition to instructions at the polling booth and on the ballot paper itself, we’re also delivering a guide to every Farrer household, running advertising on multiple channels, sending text messages, talking to the media and much more.”
*Previous studies of informal ballot papers have identified links between high informal voting rates and differing state/federal electoral systems, as well as a high number of candidates in a contest (both of which are present for the Farrer by-election).
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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.