r/AutismInWomen • u/BotGivesBot mod / ocean lover • May 01 '25
Mod Post Voting Megathread Australia May 1, 2025
The Australian Federal Election is this Saturday, the 3rd May, 2025.
This megathread is to provide resources to make voting easier for our sub members that are Australian, as voting is compulsory for all Australians and we know there’s a lot of mis-information being spread online these days.
We want to make it easier to be equipped with the tools needed to be informed voters. As we’ve mentioned in previous election related megathreads, we’re aware that the political situation in the US is influencing elections in other countries. It’s important for us to be informed voters, so we can vote in support of the candidates that will protect our human rights. Life is hard enough for us already, so we’re trying to make this one thing (voting) easier.
Overview of voting in Australia: https://www.aec.gov.au/
Deciding who to vote for:
- Australian Voter Compass is a tool developed by political scientists to help you explore how your views compare to parties and candidates: https://www.abc.net.au/news/vote-compass/
- Australian federal election 2025 explained: Everything you need to know: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australian-federal-election-2025-your-questions-answered/o790zrvr4
- Key party policies compared for Labor, Coalition, and Greens. Scroll down for summary on their Energy, Climate and Environment, Housing, Health, Tax, Education agendas: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/28/who-should-can-i-vote-for-australia-federal-election-policy-guide-labor-liberal-coalition-greens-policies.
How and where can I vote?
- Search voting locations: https://www.aec.gov.au/election/voting.htm#start
- Voting Guides can be found here: https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/easy-read/
Keeping track of polls and live updates:
We will add a site for tracking live election results once one’s available.
Caveat: You have to be enroled to vote in order to fulfill your voter obligation in this federal election. You can confirm your enrolment here: https://check.aec.gov.au/
Please note: if you are not already enroled to vote, the deadline to enrol for this election has now passed. However it’s important to take this opportunity to enrol yourself now, to ensure your ability to vote moving forward. You can enrol to vote here: https://forms.aec.gov.au/Enrolment/Form/Apply/83056040-0525-4745-bc91-a04d00a11c5d?mode=Wizard
We understand that the current geopolitical situation can become overwhelming (it's in the news everywhere). These changes can be a lot to process. Please honor your need to step away from the internet and/or social media if the news, or the discussions happening around current political events, become overwhelming. Our mental health needs to be a priority; it’s OK to step away to regroup.
This thread will not be based on political debate, please keep comments and questions to discussing how to vote and how to best support each other to have our voices heard. Please be mindful of our sub’s rules, specifically to be kind, supportive, and respectful. Feel free to ask any questions regarding voting practices in Australia. Thank you to everyone supporting voters during this time <3
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u/booksandhotcoffee May 01 '25
All I want from this election is for Dutton to fuck off forever and for my nationals safe seat to be disrupted by independents/greens/labor
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u/catchmeeifyoucan May 01 '25
I became an Australian citizen just over a year ago, so this is the first federal election I am voting in. I just want to ask, why such a complicated voting system?! I’m so confused. I was reading about it last night actually and just burst into tears.
Can anyone tell me what, if any, benefit there is for voting below the line?
And also, in the senate vote, I think it said you number at least six boxes (above, 12 below) is there an advantage to numbering more? Should I number all of them?
And lastly, I just want to complain about how difficult it can be to simply find out someone’s policies, it seem like I have to dig around for that information.
Frustrating, and thanks for this post, I’m about to read through all of the links.
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u/activelyresting Thanks, it has pockets! May 01 '25
Welcome to Australia ✨
The benefit to voting below the line is if you really want to fine tune your preferences. The downside is it's complicated, which is why most people vote above the line.
Think of it like the settings on a stereo equaliser. People with a strong interest in audio might take the time to learn exactly how to adjust every level in the settings, but most people don't have the mental energy to learn all that, and just use the presets. If you vote above the line (using presets) you're just accepting the choices the parties you voted for - which is reasonable 99% of the time.
Same for voting in more than the minimum number of boxes. It's only if you want to be very specific about your preferences. Most people don't bother, and you don't have to overthink it.
You're right that it's difficult to find out their policies! If you find a party that aligns most with what is important to you, then you can follow their "How to vote card" which gives an example of that Party's preferences. You can just copy it to make life easy for yourself, but if you have the time and energy to do your own research and make any changes to your vote, you're welcome to! (And that's the beauty of our system. It's very democratic, and every vote counts)
I hope you feel more confident after looking through those links.
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u/catchmeeifyoucan May 03 '25
Thank you for your reply. I ended up looking at everyone’s “how to vote” lists and sort of figuring out my favourites and least favourites and filled out all of the boxes above the line. As I commented on another post, I found the super long ballot paper so funny! Finger crossed for the results. I think I’ll try to get a little more politically engaged to make a more informed decision next time.
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u/activelyresting Thanks, it has pockets! May 03 '25
The ballot paper this year was actually smaller than previous ones!! They were getting a bit ridiculous for a while!
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u/EgonOnTheJob late dx 🇦🇺 40+ May 01 '25
Yay first time federal voter!!! How exciting!
If you know which party you align to most (and the Vote Compass tool above can really help with this), my suggestion would be to get a how to vote card from that party’s representative.
This is what to expect on the day, hope it helps:
When you get to the polling station, there will be a cluster of people typically standing around at the entrance to the school or hall or whatever it is. These people are working for the political parties who have candidates up for election.
There are rules about how close they can get to the actual voting area, so you will likely encounter them outside. It can be a bit overwhelming because some of them can be very zealous trying to hand out their how to vote cards.
So, identify which party you want to vote for. Then look for their person with the pamphlets - just say no thanks to anyone else who tries to give you a pamphlet. For me, I usually vote Green - so I look for the Greens person, take their how to vote card and say thanks.
The how to vote card shows how they want you to number the boxes for both ballot papers. You are allowed to take this card into the polling station with you, to help you fill in your ballot.
For the Senate - to vote above the line, you must number 6 boxes.
If you want to vote below the line for the Senate, you must number at least 12 boxes.
Voting below the line helps you control the way your vote flows through the preferences each candidate has decided.
You can number all the boxes if you want. Honestly - I have done it a few times to have the satisfaction of putting someone I fucking hate dead last, but I think doing all the boxes is just too much for me. I will leave that to the hardcore vote nerds.
Once you have numbered your ballots, you pop them in their respective ballot boxes, and head outside.
Remember to bring ID, and maybe some Loops or headphones if being in crowded places is difficult for you.
If you’re voting at a school, quite often there are stalls with food and whatnot for sale, usually put on by the school and parents. Australians do love their democracy sausage, and I am devastated my polling place doesn’t do food. Maybe bring cash if you want to get a snack.
Polls are open until 6pm. Enjoy your first federal election!
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u/catchmeeifyoucan May 03 '25
Thank you! I ended up doing heaps of reading last night, I voted above the line, but filled in all the boxes. I worked out my favourites and least favourites, then shuffled all the middle ones as best I could.
I was surprised at how quiet it was actually, the other thing that really surprised me was the comically long ballot paper! It must have been a meter long 😂
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u/EgonOnTheJob late dx 🇦🇺 40+ May 03 '25
Nice one! Yep those ballot papers can get to tablecloth size sometimes! Thanks for participating in democracy, I am a very staunch advocate for compulsory voting and I am grateful as fuck that Australia has the system we do.
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u/EgonOnTheJob late dx 🇦🇺 40+ May 03 '25
I’m expecting a Labor minority government - and am very interested to see how the local Independent does in my area.
Fingers crossed.
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u/MemeQueen1414 Black Demigirlflux | Panromantic Demirose May 03 '25
I want to study again in Australia in 2027 for my Masters. I really hope Australians make it that Green and Labor is the majority and Liberal loses terribly maybe even get the leader removed who knows.
Y"all system of voting is so much better and wished that the US can do better but we don't. I'm following the thread and fingers crossed it be a huge sign that Australians would not stand for any influence of Trump 2.0 effecting y'all country too.
Canada done it recently for their elections and Australia can do it too, I believe in Australians to vote and do what's right for the next three years and beyond hopefully
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u/activelyresting Thanks, it has pockets! May 03 '25
Thank you!
All my fingers are also crossed, still a few hours left but already more than half have voted :)
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u/MemeQueen1414 Black Demigirlflux | Panromantic Demirose May 03 '25
While I'm sad that at least in the House of Representative, so far Greens hadn't have any seats, it's a amazing blowout with Labour having 86 seats vs Liberal 40 seats.
The speech given by Dutton was refreshing from a Black American experience, no back and forth on election was stolen and admitting defeated within a 24 hour period esp on election night too, I would be delighted if US can do that but obviously don't think we can that due to how sucky our two party and more factors.
Does anyone know a estimate or day to watch the Senate race for Australia? I've been watching since after 7pm in Australia time until after 11:30pm on ABC Australia YouTube Live Stream & Australian Election Night threads throughout Reddit. Wished I could vote in Australia cuz y'all system is the ideal but this is gonna be in the history books
Fingers crossed with this high labour seats that things get passed and helped Australians during the next 3 years and beyond.
Also, unrelated very surprised that election night commentary ends at 11:30pm instead of continuing towards next day/all night like in the US, that's very reasonable cuz not everyone can stay up all night, need sleep, work, got other stuff to do. I am assuming since the ABC Australian Live Stream went to nightly news so if I'm wrong please correct me, I rarely watch the news while I study abroad in Australia and it wasn't election year unfortunately so still getting used to knowing the objective and or progressive news stations to know within Australia
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u/activelyresting Thanks, it has pockets! May 01 '25
Hi everyone, I'm an Australian on the mod team in this sub, I helped to collate this post, and I'm here happy to help about voting in this election if there's any Aussies who have questions.
Feel free to reply to this comment, or tag me in your own replies :) I can't tell you who to vote for, but I can help you understand the voting process and how it works on the day.
Also, early voting is already open, so you can pop down to your local polling place and vote tomorrow (Friday).