Name
| Term |
| Absolute
Majority | An
absolute majority refers to the number of votes a successful candidate will require
to be elected in a standard preferential or optional standard preferential based
election or ballot. An absolute majority requires a candidate to achieve, in the
case of a standard preferential based election, at least 50% plus one vote of
the formal votes in the count. In the case of an optional preferential based election,
an absolute majority comprises 50% plus one vote of the formal votes remaining
in the count. (Also see Plurality, Relative Majority and Simple Majority).
|
| Alternative
Vote | The
voting system that is used to elect the lower house, the House of Representatives,
in Australia. The system is based upon, full, standard, preferential voting. Accordingly
electors are required to number all candidates in order of preference. A candidate
requires an absolute majority i.e. 50% of the formal first preference vote plus
one, in order to be elected. Where a candidate dose not attain an absolute majority
of first preference votes, a process is then commenced where the candidate with
the fewest votes in the count is excluded and the ballot papers of the excluded
candidate are examined and physically distributed (transferred) in accordance
with the second preferences shown on each ballot for that excluded candidate.
This process of excluding candidates continues until a candidate attains an absolute
majority.
|
| Amalgamation
Ballot | A
ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission under the auspices of
the Workplace Relations Act 1996 whereby members of registered organisations determine
through a formal ballot process, whether or not to amalgamate their respective
organisations.
|
| Annual
General Meeting | Most
corporate entities are required by their relevant legislation to hold an annual
general meeting of members at least once every calendar year.
|
| Appointment
of Proxy | If
a member "donates" their voting entitlement to another person then they
are appointing that person as their proxy. This is generally done by way of a
proxy form which has been included by the entity with the Notice of Meeting and
which the member returns to the entity no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
|
| Australian
Capital Territory Electoral Commission | An
independent statutory authority established in 1994 to conduct ACT Legislative
Assembly elections and referendums.
|
| Australian
Electoral Commission | The
independent federal government statutory authority established to conduct federal
elections and referendums. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) also is vested
with the responsibility of maintaining the federal electoral rolls.
|
| Ballot | The
process by which eligible voters make a choice across a candidate or candidates
in an election or where they determine a particular issue in the case of a referendum,
plebiscite or certified or enterprise bargaining agreement. The term ballot is
frequently applied in the context of elections for office within Unions or Employer
Groups of registered organisations. The term ballot is also synonymous with the
conduct of a "secret" vote.
|
| Ballot
Box | The
secure, sealed container into which the votes of eligible voters are placed pending
their further consideration and/or counting. Ballot Boxes commonly are constructed
of metal, plastic, or cardboard.
|
| Ballot
Call Flow | The
specific voting instructions provided to an eligible voter once they have been
granted security access to a telephone voting system.
|
| Ballot
Paper | A
printed sheet showing either the names of approved candidates contesting the available
positions for election, or options to be determined in a referendum, plebiscite,
or certified agreement or enterprise bargaining agreement ballot. Ballot papers
usually include instructions for a voter on how to mark a formal ballot. Such
instructions have their foundation in Legislation, Constitutions, or relevant
Rules etc.
|
| Ballot
Screen | The
representation on a monitor screen of a ballot in an Internet based election/ballot.
If the ballot is being concurrently conducted by both paper and Internet, then
the ballot details will formatted and presented similarly.
|
| Block
Vote Method | A
plurality (first past the post) method where there is more than one candidate
to be elected. Under this method, the voters have as many votes as there are candidates
to be elected.
|
| By-Election | An
election held, usually as a consequence of the death, resignation or retirement
of an elected representative. (Also see Casual Vacancy).
|
| Campaigns | The
promotional activities undertaken by political parties/candidates with the objective
of encouraging constituents (or members) to vote for their party or candidacy.
(Also see Canvassing).
|
| Candidate | An
individual who has nominated for election, and whose nomination has been accepted/validated
by the Returning Officer or Secretary (in the case of some organisations).
|
| Candidate
Statement/Profile | Where
the relevant Legislation, Constitutions, Rules or By-laws of an organisation dictate,
candidates may be permitted to provide some details pertaining to their claims
for election. Such Statements usually have a word limit and other prescribed conditions.
Photographs of candidates may also be permitted in some instances.
|
| Canvassing | Promotional
activities undertaken by political parties and candidates with the objective of
gaining the support of the voters. Frequently "canvassing" is construed
as the activities of party and candidate workers who distribute "how to vote"
promotional materials outside of polling booths/poling places.
|
| Casual
Vacancy | Refers
to an elected position "vacancy" created upon the death, retirement
or resignation of an elected representative. The applicable Legislation, Rules
or By-laws will provide the basis for filling of a Casual Vacancy.
|
| Certified
Agreement Ballot | Employee
ballots conducted under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Act 1996. Certified
Agreements (or Enterprise Bargaining Agreements) detail in writing the matters
pertaining to the relationship between an employer and employees.
|
| Certified
List | The
list of eligible voters (roll of voters) in an election or ballot. (Also see Eligible
Voters and Roll of Voters and Voter Database).
|
| Chairman
of Meeting | The
person appointed to control the proceedings at a meeting. Often, but not always,
the Chairman of the Board.
|
| "Cherry
Picking" | A
questionable practice whereby a proxy holder, with directed proxies, chooses not
to vote the directed proxies for a motion but chooses to vote the proxies directed
against a motion (or visa versa).
|
| Close
of Rolls | The
date/time specified in Legislation (or in some cases in Constitutions, Rules or
By-laws) for the "cut-off" of the electoral (or voters roll) to be used
as the basis for an election or ballot.
|
| Constitution | A
Constitution is a formal document setting out a statement of laws or rules. The
Australian Constitution sets out the procedures and powers of the Commonwealth
Parliament. Organisational Constitutions mandate the corporate governance procedures
to be applied and followed by an organisation.
|
| Cumulative
Voting | Cumulative
Voting is akin to a plurality (first past the post) form of voting. This is so
because ultimately candidates are elected in accordance with the number of votes
(in total) that they poll; and they are elected (up to the number of vacancies)
in rank order of polling from highest to lowest. There are no "preferences"
or "distributions of preferences" or "exclusions" involved.
Cumulative
Voting is used widely in the context of corporate (Director) elections in the
United States and it is a system that a number of advocates (and Courts) have
recognised as providing an enhanced opportunity for relevant "minority"
representation Traditionally
in calculating a voter's voting entitlement in a corporate election using Cumulative
Voting, the number of shares held by the Member, is multiplied by the number of
vacancies to be applied.
|
| Declaration
of the Poll | The
formal and public announcement by a Returning Officer (or other designated official),
of the outcome of an election or ballot. (Also see Declaration of Result.)
|
| Declaration
of Result | The
formal, written notification by a Returning Officer (or other designated official)
of the result of count of an election or ballot. (Also see Declaration of the
Poll).
|
| Declaration
Vote | A
"special purpose" vote where the voter needs to contain his/her ballot
paper(s) in an Envelope. Declaration votes may comprise postal votes, absent votes,
pre-poll votes, provisional votes etc. Characteristically, declaration votes need
to pass specific voter validation tests to determine the eligibility of the vote
to be "admitted" or included in the count.
|
| Democracy | Government
"by the people, for the people and of the people". A system of government
in which governance stems from elected representatives. The word "Democracy"
is derived from the ancient Greek words, "demos"- " the people"
and "kratos" -"strength".
|
| Directed
Votes | Where
a member has returned a proxy form and has directed the proxyholder to vote either
for, against or abstain on the item of business these votes are called directed
votes. If the proxyholder chooses to vote they must vote as directed.
|
| Disenfranchise | To
deny a person the right to vote.
|
| Dissolution | The
formal process concluding a parliamentary term. Only the Governor General (in
the case of the federal government) or a Governor (in the case of a State Government)
may "dissolve" parliament.
|
| Distribution
of Preferences | A
procedural process that is applied through preferential and optional preferential
voting systems. Where no candidate achieves an absolute majority of the formal
votes (in the case of a standard preferential voting system) or of the formal
votes remaining in the count (in the case of an optional preferential system),
then the ballots of the candidate who at the relevant count stage, has the fewest
votes in the count, is excluded. The process of exclusion involves the transfer
of contingent preferences from the excluded candidate, to candidates remaining
in the count.
|
| Division
Voting | In
the context of parliamentary sittings, the process of recording and reporting
of members' votes on an issue. In the context of Council elections, voting within
a particular Council Division.
|
| Donkey
Vote | A
typical "donkey vote" is one which records preferences from top to bottom
of the ballot, precisely in accordance with the order of the names of candidates
shown on the ballot. The term is most usually applied in the context of a single
election. Donkey Votes account for approximately two (2) percent of the formal
votes in an election.
|
| Draw
by Lot | A
process applied to determine order or selection by random choice. Drawing by lot
is most frequently applied in the context of determining the ballot order of candidates
or in determining the order of exclusion or order of election of candidates. In
electronic based elections/ballots, the process of candidate exclusion or election
may be conducted by random computer draw or by a Returning Officer draw. However
the stated requirements of Legislation, Constitution, Rules or By-laws always
prevail.
|
| Droop
Quota | Refers
to the quota of votes to be obtained by a candidate in order to be elected in
the context of some proportional representation (Single Transferable Vote -STV)
elections. The quota was named after HR Droop, an English barrister. The Droop
quota is calculated by dividing the total number of formal first preference votes
cast in an election, by the total number of candidates to be elected, plus one,
and by adding one to the quotient so obtained.
|
| Election | The
process of choosing or selecting through voting, a particular nominated candidate
(or candidates) to occupy some official position or positions.
|
| Electoral
Formula | The
particular counting rules which apply in an electoral system.
|
| Electronic
Ballot/Election | An
election or ballot that is conducted using secure Internet or Telephone technology.
Could also describe voting conducted using an electronic voting "kiosk "i.e.
a computerised touch screen voting terminal located in a polling booth/voting
compartment.
|
| Electronic
Vote Counting | A
system where vote data from votes cast by eligible voters is loaded into a computerised
counting machine and the results of the ballot/election are calculated electronically.
The loading of vote data may be accomplished by straight data keying of information
shown on paper ballots, by electronic scanning of ballots using either optical
mark recognition (OMR) or optical character recognition (OCR) technology, by extraction
of data from voting machines or by downloading of information from a secure electronic
vote store.
|
| Electronic
Vote Recording | A
system where a voter records their vote on voting machine (punch card, touch screen
etc) and the vote is stored within the machine. When voting is finalised, data
stored within the machine is transferred to the relevant tabulation /counting
system.
|
| Electronic
Voting | A
system where an eligible voter casts their vote using an online system including
the Internet, Touch-tone Telephone voting using Interactive Voice Recognition
(IVR), or Mobile Telephone SMS text facility. Once a voter selects/casts their
vote, the details of the vote are transmitted in real time to a secure electronic
store, pending tabulation (counting) of the results.
|
| Eligibility | The
requirement/status to be achieved in order to be qualified to vote in an election
or ballot. Eligibility may be based on enrolment, financial status, occupational
requirements/experience etc.
|
| Enterprise
Bargaining Ballot | See
Certified Agreement Ballot.
|
| Evaporating
Votes | Eligible
votes not cast at a poll e.g. where a member does not return their ballot paper
or where a proxyholder does not collect their proxy votes and the donor of those
votes has deleted the fallback clause on the proxy form.
|
| Excluded
Candidate | In
a preferential or optional preferential based election/ballot, a candidate is
"excluded" from the count because he or she has fewer votes than other
candidates, at that particular stage of the count. The "excluded" candidate's
relevant contingent preferences are transferred to "continuing" candidates
i.e. those candidates remaining in the count. (Also see Distribution of Preferences).
|
| Exhausted
Ballot/Vote | A
ballot that can no longer be distributed in a preference distribution process
as no further preferences are listed on the ballot for any candidate(s) remaining
in the count. The total of exhausted ballots plus the total of formal votes remaining
in the count must equate with the total of formal ballots included in the count.
(See also Optional Preferential Voting).
|
| Exhaustive
Ballot | This
system is relevant in the context of a single constituency election. Where no
single candidate (for a single seat) attains more than half the votes, the candidate
with the fewest number of votes is excluded from further consideration and a new
poll is taken of those candidates remaining. The process is repeated until one
candidate attains more than the total combined vote of all remaining candidates.
|
| Extraordinary
General Meeting | A
general meeting of members other than the annual general meeting which is convened
to deal with special business.
|
| Extraordinary
Vacancy | Most
usually refers to an elected position "vacancy" created upon the death,
retirement or resignation of an elected representative. The applicable Legislation,
Rules or By-laws will provide the basis for filling of a Casual Vacancy. (Also
see Casual Vacancy).
|
| Fallback
Clause | Wording
on a proxy form to the effect that if the nominated proxyholder fails to attend
the meeting and collect their proxy voting papers then the votes contained therein
(both directed and undirected) will revert to the Chairman of the Meeting.
|
| First
past the post | A
voting system whereby the candidate with the most votes is elected - whether or
not that elected candidate has attained an absolute majority i.e. 50% of the formal
votes plus one. " First past the post "is widely used in Union and Corporation
elections/ballots. The system may be applied to elect one or more positions. Voters
usually need only to place a tick or a cross on their ballot(s) in order to cast
their vote. However some "First past the post" system variants apply
a "strike-out" method or numerical base. The type of approach to be
applied will be dependant upon the relevant Legislation, Constitution, Rules or
By-laws.
|
| Formal
Vote | A
ballot that has been marked or selected (in the case of an electronic ballot),
in accordance with the relevant election/ballot rules and that will accordingly
count towards the ultimate election result. (Also see Informal Vote).
|
| Fractional
Transfer Value | In
a proportional representation based election system, the fractional transfer value
represents the reduced value at which a candidate's surplus votes are transferred
to continuing candidates. The transfer value applicable in the case of the distribution
of the surplus votes of a candidate who is elected from first preference votes
is calculated by dividing the number of the elected candidate's surplus votes
(those votes in excess of the Quota for the election) by the number of first preference
votes received by the candidate. However the transfer value to be applied to a
surplus distribution of a candidate following a transfer is calculated by dividing
the number of the candidate's surplus votes by the number of ballot papers received
at the last transfer.
|
| Franchise | The
right to vote.
|
| Fresh
Scrutiny | The
recheck (recount) of ballot papers is conducted by a Returning Officer prior to
determining the result of an election and/or prior to conducting a distribution
of preferences. The basic purpose of the Recheck is to ensure that each formal
ballot is assigned to the correct candidate, to ensure that there are no informal
ballots contained with the formal ones, to ensure that there are no formal ballots
contained with the informal ones, to guarantee the total number of first preference
votes for each candidate and to ascertain and prove the correct number of informal
ballots. The Fresh Scrutiny/Recheck provides the appropriate proper basis to conduct,
where necessary, a distribution of preferences. (Also see Recheck).
|
| Group
Voting Ticket | Where
provided, by way of Legislation, Constitution, Rules or By-laws, these "tickets"
represent a formal written, printed statement of preferences lodged by candidates,
by an approved electoral group or by a political party, and following the close
of nominations and the draw for positions on the ballot (if any). Group Voting
Tickets are usually displayed within polling booths/polling places for the availability
and perusal of electors. Candidates/parties attempt to maximise their opportunities
for election by recommending in the Group Voting Tickets (and through "how
to vote cards", the manner in which electors might mark their ballot(s).
|
| Hare-Clark | The
Hare-Clark electoral system is a Single Transferable Vote (STV) method of proportional
representation used in multi-member electorates/constituencies. The title Hare-Clark
derives both from (an Englishman) Thomas Hare who proposed the notion of proportional
representation and also from Andrew Ingles Clark, a former member of the Tasmanian
Parliament, who introduced a variant of the Hare system and now termed the Hare-Clark
system. (Also see Proportional Representation and Single Transferable Vote).
|
| How
to Vote Card | A
promotional initiative, usually in the form of small cardboard or paper representation
of a ballot paper, developed by candidates/political parties and intended to influence
voters to vote for their individual or party candidacy. Where a preferential voting
is relevant, the "cards" invariably display and represent the recommended
manner of preference marking, most suitable to the candidate or the political
party. Candidate or political party "hacks" usually volunteer to stand
adjacent to polling booth/polling place entrances and hand the "how to vote
cards" to electors entering the polling booth. There are usually formal restrictions
legislated on the how proximal to a polling booth/ polling place entrance that
canvassing may take place. A common legislative provision is that canvassing not
be permitted within five (5) meters of the entrance to a polling booth/polling
place. Many voters have become dependant upon, or otherwise mistakenly consider
that they must follow, the information conveyed on a "How to Vote Card"
. Of course voters are free to make their own determinations about how to mark
or select their ballot(s).
|
| Hybrid
Election/Ballot | A
hybrid Election/Ballot involves the application and availability to the eligible
voters, the use of more than one voting medium in the same electoral event. For
example, eligible voters might be offered the use of either Postal or Internet
voting in a Ballot.
|
| Informal
Ballot | A
ballot that is not included in the formal count because it fails to meet the requirements
mandated in the relevant Act, Constitution, Election Rules or By-laws. Typically
ballots are deemed informal, when the voter's intention is not sufficiently clear.
Accordingly, for example, a ballot showing either no vote/selection, or alternatively
one that has indistinguishable first preference markings/selections, will be classified
informal. In addition, where the name of the voter is written and identifiable
on the ballot, then usually the ballot will be informal.
|
| Internet
Ballot/Vote | A
ballot or election where the voting medium applied is secure Internet technology.
(Also see Electronic Ballot/Election, Electronic Vote Counting, and Electronic
Voting).
|
| List
Proportional Representation (List System) | Essentially
List systems involve each political party presenting a list (akin to a slate)
of candidates to the voters (the electorate). The parties achieve representation
in proportion to their overall share of the total vote. (Also see proportional
Representation).
|
| Majority | See
Absolute Majority, Plurality, Relative Majority and Simple Majority.
|
| Member | A
person who "belongs" to the entity and who's name appears on the register
of members. Generally only members are entitled to vote and speak at meetings.
|
| Motion | A
proposition to be put to members. If passed by members the motion becomes a resolution.
|
| Multiple
Preferential Voting System | This
is a voting system that accomplishes the multiple election of the relevant number
of candidates in one ballot. The system is used by some industrial organisations.
Voters are required to mark/select their ballot preferentially usually up to the
number of candidates to be elected. Ballots that show preference selections up
to the number to be elected are termed primary votes and those ballots marked/selected
beyond the number to be elected are referred to as secondary votes. The candidate
obtaining the fewest primary vote is excluded and secondary votes (preferences)
are distributed to remaining candidates. This exclusion process is continued until
there is one more than the number of candidates to be elected. The candidate lowest
in ranking is then excluded and the remaining candidates are elected.
|
| Next
Available Preference | The
candidate marked/selected by a voter on a ballot as the next preferred continuing
candidate.
|
| Nomination | The
process by which an individual seeks to formally contest an election or ballot
as a candidate. The "requirements" governing nomination will be contained
in legislation, in an organisation's Constitution, Election rules or By-laws.
|
| Non
Fallback | Where
a member deletes the Fallback Clause on the proxy form. In this situation if the
proxyholder fails to attend the meeting the votes contained therein will evaporate.
|
| Non
Transferable Vote | A
ballot that that cannot be distributed further as it "exhausts"- it
does not show any further preferences for continuing candidates. (Also see Exhausted
Ballots).
|
| Non
Voting Member | Either
the non-voting member in a joint membership or a member who has previously lodged
a proxy which they have chosen not to revoke. Non Voting Members at a meeting
are not entitled to vote but are entitled to speak.
|
| Notice
of Meeting | All
members must receive a Notice of Meeting covering the formal requirements (date,
time, location and appointment of proxy details) and the business requirements
(the nature of the meeting business and the motions to be put to members and explanatory
details of those motions) of the meeting.
|
| Notice
Period | Members
must receive the Notice of Meeting prior to the meeting. The notice period is
28 days for listed companies and generally 21 days for other entities.
|
| Number
of Votes | In
the case of a poll this can vary from entity to entity but generally for company
meetings it is 1 vote for every share held by the member and for associations
it is generally 1 vote per member.
On a show of hands each member has a single
vote.
|
| Open
Votes | See
Undirected Votes.
|
| Opinion
Poll | A
survey conducted that registers voter or general public opinion.
|
| Optional
Preferential Voting | A
system of voting in which a voter marks/selects the preferences for candidates
of their choice, but the voter need not mark/select preferences for all candidates
listed on the ballot. In an optional preferential election, a candidate needs
to attain an absolute majority (i.e. 50% plus one) of the votes remaining in the
count. Where a voter does not show contingent preferences for each and every candidate,
the ballot is deemed to "exhaust" at the point where no further preferences
are shown/selected. The optional preferential voting system may be used to elect
one or more representatives.
|
| Ordinary
Election | A
term often applied to a normally scheduled "end of term" election.
|
| Ordinary
Vote/Voter | The
ballot that is issued to an elector in an parliamentary election, the elector
attends at his/her local polling place/polling booth and the elector is listed
in the Certified List (Voter Roll) for that relevant (local) electorate.
|
| Party
Linear Vote | A
ballot in a multi-member election and the candidates are marked/selected, but
straight down a party line or list.
|
| Plebiscite | A
decision on an issue made by a group of people. Plebiscites often take the form
of a referendum -a "yes" or "no" vote on a particular proposal/issue.
A plebiscite will be conducted in accordance with the relevant governance requirements.
|
| Plurality
| A
term related to the "first past the post" system of voting. The candidate
who attains the highest number of votes in an election or ballot attains a plurality
or "simple majority" of votes and is elected. (Also see Absolute Majority
and Relative Majority).
|
| Points
System | Under
the Points System, a voter awards a particular number of points to their first
chosen candidate, but a lesser number of points is awarded the second preferred
candidate and so on, to the required number. The candidate with greatest number
of points is elected. The system can be applied to elect one or more positions.
|
| Poll | Refers
to the counting of votes in an election or survey.
|
| Polling
Booth/Polling Place | The
particular advertised location(s) where electors visit to record their vote(s)
in a parliamentary/council election. Returning Officers select, equip and staff
polling places based upon the anticipated voter turnout art the polling place.
|
| Polling
Officials | These
are the staffing resources appointed by the Returning Officer to conduct polling
in a polling booth/polling place. There is usually a Presiding Officer, Officer
in Charge or Polling place Manager appointed to control activities in the polling
booth and to administer the electoral laws in regard to the conduct of the poll.
Other categories of polling officials are appointed by the Returning Officer to
assist the person in charge and to perform specialist functions in the polling
place on polling day. Polling officials usually are trained to perform their specialist
role, but they also need to be able to perform some of the other various functions
in the polling booth.
|
| Postal
Vote | In
respect of a parliamentary/council election, the medium of voting available to
a en elector who is unable to physically attend a polling booth (polling place)
on polling day. Typically postal voters have to apply to receive postal ballot
material. The Returning Officer validates applications received and sends ballot
material to the voter. The voter will be supplied with the basic material to cast
their vote. The completed ballot material is to be returned to the Returning Officer
for processing. In
elections for organisations including corporations, and in Certified Agreement
Ballots, postal voting also is widely used. However in these elections the eligible
voter does not normally need to apply to receive the ballot material; the material
is directly forwarded to each eligible voter after ballot material has been printed.
|
| Preferential
Voting | A
system of voting where electors/voters must express through marking/selection
an order of ranking for each candidate listed on the ballot. To be elected under
the preferential voting system, a candidate must obtain an absolute majority (i.e.
50% plus one) of the total formal vote in the count. Where no candidate attains
an outright absolute majority, the candidate who is lowest ranking in the count
at that particular stage, is excluded and the excluded candidate's ballots are
examined to determine, and to physically transfer, that excluded candidate's second
preferences to continuing candidates. The process of excluding candidates continues,
until one candidate attains an absolute majority. This system is used in the elections
for the federal House of Representatives and is sometimes referred to as the Alternative
Vote. The system is also used in a number of other parliamentary and other settings.
The system can be applied to elect either one or multiple positions. (Also see
Optional Preferential Voting).
|
| Preliminary
Scrutiny | The
"preliminary scrutiny" essentially involves a "voter entitlement
check". It involves the process of validating a person's entitlement to have
their vote admitted to the count. Also referred to as "validation".
The preliminary scrutiny may involve, for example, the checking of voter signatures
on declaration votes, the marking back of voters to the voter roll, the checking
/verification of membership numbers etc. (Also see Scanning and Validation).
|
| Prescribed
Information | The
formal, statutory request for conduct of an election for a registered organisation
under the auspices the Workplace Relations (or other related State) Act. (Also
see Registered Organisations).
|
| Pre-selection | The
process applied by political parties to choose their candidates to contest parliamentary
elections. The particular approach applied to pre-selection will be a function
of the relevant Rules.
|
| President | A
term often applied to the elected head of state of a nation/republic. May also
apply, in a corporation context, to the head of a Board/Company.
|
| Primary
Vote | In
a preferential system based vote, this is sometimes taken to refer to the first
preference votes recorded by each candidate. In a multiple preferential system
based vote, the primary vote refers to the preferences marked/selected by voters
up to the number of candidates to be elected.
|
| Procedural
poll | A
poll on an item of business that was not included on the Notice of Meeting (e.g.
a motion to adjourn the meeting).
|
| Profile | Under
the provisions of some legislation and organisations, candidates for election
may be able to provide statements or profiles in support of their candidacy. Such
provisions usually contain limitations or restrictions as to the number of words
and statement content.(Also see Candidate Statements).
|
| Proportional
Representation | Proportional
Representation is a system of voting essentially designed to elect representatives
in proportion to the amount of support each has in the constituency/electorate.
Candidates effectively are elected in proportion to the number of votes they receive.
However candidates must obtain a "quota" of votes to be elected. The
system may be used to elect one or more positions; however it's application is
more relevant when electing a number of candidates to vacant positions. Under
proportional representation, voters usually mark/select preferences for candidates
in the order of their choice. The rules/constitutions of some organisations might
mandate that the ballots must be marked /selected fully preferentially, however
the system equally applies in those situations where an optional preferential
system of marking/selection is mandated. Proportional Representation may also
be applied in conjunction with List based (akin to Slate) voting methods and where
voters select one party or a combined group of candidates. (Also see Hare - Clarke
and Single Transferable Vote).
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| Provisional
Vote | In
an Australian federal election context, the vote of an individual that is enclosed
in a special declaration envelope. The Provisional Vote declaration envelopes
are returned to the Returning Officer who undertakes special review and investigations
into the eligibility of the persons to vote and to have their ballot(s) included
in the count. The most common reason for issue of an Provisional Vote relates
to the inability of a polling official to locate the relevant elector's details
on the Certified list (Roll of Voters) for the particular Division/electorate,
but the elector claims (and maintains) their entitlement to vote. Another fairly
common basis for issue of a Provisional vote is that an elector presents to vote
in a polling booth, but their elector details have already been "marked off"
on the polling booth Certified List. If the voter makes a declaration to the effect
that they have not already voted in the election, then they are issued with a
Provisional Vote. The polling officials who issue Provisional Votes need to be
specially trained. (Also see Declaration Voting).
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| Proxy | Members
can only vote at meetings by personally attending or appointing someone else to
attend in their stead (their proxy).
|
| Proxy
Close | The
entity will generally stipulate that members are to return proxy forms no later
than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
|
| Proxy
Donor | The
member who appoints a proxy.
|
| Proxy
Form | Members
appoint a proxy using a proxy form. To be valid the proxy form needs to contain
- the member's name & address, the entity's name, the proxy's name or office,
the meeting(s) at which the appointment is to apply.
Generally, proxy forms
will also show each of the items of business and boxes (for, against and abstain)
in which the donor can indicate their voting directions.
|
| Proxyholder | The
person who is nominated by the member to attend the meeting and vote on their
behalf.
|
| Proxy
Register | A
register kept by the entity of all members who have lodged a proxy prior to the
meeting.
|
| Proxy
Summary | A
summary of the voting directions of all members who have lodged a proxy prior
to the meeting. The proxy summary usually lists each proxyholder that has been
appointed and the votes they hold that have been directed or undirected for each
item of business.
|
| Public
Company Voting | The
Public Company method has its foundation in the (Australian) Corporations Law.
The method essentially envisages a separate vote being taken on each position
in a meeting situation, and with "voting" conducted by a show of hands.
|
| Quorum | The
minimum number of members required to be at a meeting, either personally or by
proxy, in order for resolutions to be passed.
|
| Quota | The
minimum number of votes required by a candidate to achieve election. Most frequently
used in the context of proportional representation voting systems. (Also see Hare
Clarke and Proportional Representation). The
term quota might also be applied in the context of the redistribution of electoral
boundaries.
|
| Recheck | The
recheck (or fresh scrutiny) of ballot papers is conducted by a Returning Officer
prior to determining the result of an election and/or prior to conducting a distribution
of preferences. The recheck is essentially a recount of the ballots. The basic
purpose of the Recheck is to ensure that each formal ballot is assigned to the
correct candidate, to ensure that there are no informal ballots contained with
the formal ones, to ensure that there are no formal ballots contained with the
informal ones, to guarantee the total number of first preference votes for each
candidate and to ascertain and prove the correct number of informal ballots. The
Fresh Scrutiny/Recheck provides the appropriate proper basis to conduct, where
necessary, a distribution of preferences. (Also see Fresh Scrutiny & Recount).
|
| Recount | A
recount involves a formal review and count of all the votes counted in an election.
Usually a recount is only conducted where the margin between candidates for election
is extremely close. Typically, a recount could be sought by a candidate, or the
Returning Officer could decide to conduct a recount of his/her own volition. In
some instances, the recount could involve a review of ballot material beyond those
ballots accepted into a count. Accordingly, depending upon governance requirements
and the relevant circumstances, a recount count could also involve a review of
the rejected votes as well as ballot material put to the count.
|
| Referendum | A
Referendum is a vote taken by eligible voters to determine the level of support,
or otherwise, on some issue, proposal or matter of policy. A referendum normally
involves a "yes" or 'no" vote being taken on an issue. The governance
requirements that are pertinent will mandate the specific criteria to determine
whether or not a referendum will be "carried" (or supported). In the
Australian context any proposed alteration to the Australian Constitution must
be put to the electors through a referendum. The Commonwealth Electoral and Referendum
Regulations prescribe the processes that apply in the conduct of a federal referendum.
For a Commonwealth referendum to be "carried", the proposed alteration
must have "double majority" support. This involves not only a national
majority of electors voting in favour of the proposal, but also a majority of
electors in a majority of the States. (Also see Double Majority).
|
| Registered
Organisation(s) | A
Union or Employer group formally registered under the federal Workplace Relations
Act, (or the corresponding relevant State Act). Registered organisations generally
must have their elections for official positions conducted by government electoral
commissions.
|
| Register
"snapshot" | Generally
this is the register as it stands 48 hours prior to the meeting and is taken as
the register of members entitled to vote at the meeting.
|
| Registration | Members
attending a meeting will be registered before entering the meeting auditorium.
At registration the member will be marked off the member register and given an
admission card and a set of voting papers. If the member has previously lodged
a proxy they are usually given the option to revoke the proxy. If they choose
to revoke the proxy they will be given the voting papers. If they choose to let
the proxy stand the member will be given a Non Voting member admission card.
|
| Replaceable
Rules | A
set of "default rules" found in S.141 of the Corporations Act that relate
to corporate governance. A number of these rules relate to the holding of company
meetings. The rules can be "replaced" by a company's own rules as set
out in the company's constitution.
|
| Resolutions
- ordinary | A
resolution that can be passed by the majority (50%) of members present (in person
or by proxy) and voting at a meeting. Resolutions are ordinary unless they need
to be a special resolution (see below). Typical ordinary resolutions are for election
of Directors, issue of options, change of auditors.
|
| Resolutions
- special | A
resolution that must be passed by at least 75% of members present (in person or
by proxy) and voting at a meeting. Special resolutions are required for changes
to the company's constitution, change of company name, capital reduction, election
of Directors over the age of 75.
|
| Results | In
parliamentary/council elections, where polling is conducted predominantly on an
attendance basis, the first results of the election will be counted by polling
officials in the polling booths/polling places. Postal and pre-poll votes may
also be counted by the Returning Officer from the time the polling booth counts
take place. The polling booth results are transmitted (usually by telephone) to
the Returning Officer. If there is a central "Tally Room" the results
for a series of polling booths (places) will be transmitted by the Returning Officer
at appropriate intervals. In the days following polling day, the Declaration Votes
received by a Returning Officer will be dealt with, and where relevant, ballots
put to the count. Aggregations of the results are tallied to determine the overall
results of the election. Depending upon the voting system used etc, preference
distributions may be necessary to determine the final result. The election results
will be placed in published statistical returns. The results of the election usually
are announced by a Returning Officer at the Declaration of the Poll (a formal
ceremony). In
non-parliamentary elections, the results of the election are usually referred
in written form to the relevant authority. The Secretary, or other delegated authority
within the client organisation, may be vested with the responsibility for declaring
the poll .In elections for registered organisations, the results are also forwarded
to the office of the Industrial Registrar.
|
| Returning
Officer | The
person formally appointed to conduct a ballot, election, referendum or plebiscite.
|
| Revoked
Proxies | Where
a member either in writing or by attending the meeting overrides a previously
lodged proxy.
|
| Robson
Rotation | Robson
rotation refers to a process where the names of candidates in a column (on a ballot)
are rotated so that positions on the ballot are shared equally across candidates.
This process was initiated by a Tasmanian politician, Neil Robson.
|
| Roll/Roll
of Voters | The
Roll of Voters/Roll/ Electoral Roll/Voter database represents the list of persons
eligible to vote in a ballot/election. In a parliamentary election, the voter
roll is formulated from the relevant Electoral Roll. There is usually a defined
cut-off or "closing date" for the electoral roll for a parliamentary/council
election. For other ballots/elections, the Roll of Voters will comprise the certified
database of eligible members/employees etc. The governance requirements for some
organisations will dictate a defined voter eligibility date or "cut-off";
however others will apply a "continuous" voter roll with additions and
deletions to the voter roll being permitted to the latest practicable time. In
electronic based ballots/elections, for all practical purposes, the deadline for
deletions to be applied to a "continuous" roll will be when the electronic
/ballot/election actually goes live. (Also see Electoral Roll and Voter Database).
|
| Run | The
act of contesting a ballot/election as a candidate.
|
| Scanning | The
term "Scanning" may apply in several contexts: the review of markings
on a voter roll(s), the validation or "preliminary scrutiny of votes, or
in the counting of ballots. In
Australian parliamentary/council elections, the voter rolls (or certified lists)
used in polling places and which have recorded in them, the details of ordinary
voters who presented themselves at the polling booth (polling place) to vote.
The recording of the ordinary voters who presented at the polling booth (polling
place) takes the form of markings made by Issuing Officers, against the names
of each relevant elector. Post polling day, the Certified Lists are parcelled
by the Returning Officer's staff and they are referred for electronic scanning.
This scanning process determines and produces reports of the lists of apparent
non-voters, and apparent multiple voters. Scanning
may also be applied to the validation or preliminary scrutiny (voter entitlement
check) of declaration style votes. The return ballot envelopes may be bar-coded
with the basic member /employee details of a voter. The bar code scanning operator
will match other required authentication details, (perhaps a member /employee
number and/ or PIN) with the details reported on a screen monitor relevant to
the particular bar-code reading. Where the details match, the validation process
is completed and the ballot contained within the declaration envelope may be counted. Scanning
technology may also be utilised to read/collect data from votes cast by eligible
voters and the results of the ballot/election are calculated electronically. The
loading of vote data may be accomplished by electronic scanning of ballots using
either optical mark recognition (OMR) or optical character recognition (OCR) technology.
(Also see Electronic Vote Counting).
|
| Scheme
Meeting | A
meeting of members called to approve a Scheme of Arrangement. See Court Ordered
Meetings.
|
| Scrutineer | A
person formally appointed (usually be candidate) to represent the candidate's
(or an organisation's) interests in the ballot/election process. The governance
requirements (if any) pertaining to scrutineering will be contained in an institution's
or organisation's legislation, constitution, rules or By-laws. The rules of some
organisations permit the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board, or
Board representatives, to appoint scrutineers. In a postal based ballot/election
it is common for scrutineering practices/intervention to be permitted from the
insertion/packaging /mailing of ballot material through to the count process.
In attendance based parliamentary/council ballots/elections, scrutineering practice
commences from the display of open/empty ballot boxes, through vote issue, to
vote counting, re-checking and, if applicable, vote re-counting. The role of a
scrutineer will involve the protection of their candidate's personal interests.
Accordingly, apart from a perspective of ensuring that due process has/is being
followed, a basic objective of a scrutineer is to maximise the opportunity for
the election of his/her candidate and to minimise the chances of election of other
candidates. Where a preferential form of voting is applied, skilled scrutineer
operatives will observe and note the flow of marked/selected preferences.
|
| Scrutiny | The
scrutiny of ballots refers to the process of unfolding, sorting and counting of
ballots. (Also see Fresh Scrutiny or Recheck).
|
| Secret
Ballot | Voting
in secret/private without fear of intimidation. Australia was the first modern
nation to adopt the principle of the secret ballot.
|
| Show
of Hands | Voting
at a meeting will generally be by a show of hands unless a poll is demanded. On
a show of hands the chairman will declare the result.
|
| Simple
Majority | A
term related to the "first past the post" system of voting. The candidate
who attains the highest number of votes in an election or ballot attains a "simple
majority" or "plurality" of votes and is elected. (Also see Absolute
Majority, Plurality and Relative Majority).
|
| Single
Transferable Vote | This
is a form of proportional representation. Proportional representation is a system
of voting essentially designed to elect representatives in proportion to the amount
of support each has in the constituency/electorate. Candidates effectively are
elected in proportion to the number of votes they receive. This system typically
is used where multiple candidates are to be elected. Under single transferable
vote, voters mark/select preferences for candidates in the order of their choice.
The rules/constitutions of some organisations might mandate that the ballots must
be marked /selected fully preferentially, however the system equally applies in
those situations where an optional preferential system of marking/selection is
mandated. Candidates must obtain a "quota" of votes to be elected. A
"quota" commonly applied is the Droop Quota. The formula for this quota
is the total number of formal first preference votes (in the count) divided by
the number of candidates to be elected plus one, and then one is added to that
quotient. Any candidate achieving a quota is elected, and if they achieve surplus
over the quota, then the value of those votes comprising the surplus are transferred
on to continuing (unelected) candidates, but at a reduced value (called a transfer
value). The transfer value derived from a surplus of first preference votes is
calculated as the number of the candidate's surplus votes divided by the total
number of ballots with further preferences shown. Following the distribution of
surplus votes from first preferences, progressive totals are reviewed and any
candidates achieving a quota are elected. Again, then the surplus votes of elected
candidates are transferred on to continuing (unelected) candidates in accordance
with a transfer value. However the transfer value applied in such circumstances
is represented by the number of the elected candidate's surplus votes divided
by the number of ballots received at the last transfer. Where no candidate receives
a surplus and there remain positions to be filled, then the candidate with the
lowest standing in the count is excluded and his/her ballots are distributed in
accordance with the preferences shown thereon, to continuing candidates. The process
of excluding candidates and/or distributing surplus votes continues until all
positions are filled. (Also see Hare -Clarke & Proportional Representation).
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| Special
General Meeting | See
Extraordinary General Meeting.
|
| Spoilt
Ballot | A
ballot on which an elector/voter makes a mistake in marking (but not a decision
on a change in candidate selection) and the ballot is returned to the Issuing
Officer polling official so that an replacement, unmarked ballot can be provided
to the voter. Spoilt ballot papers are placed in special purpose and identifiable
envelopes and are not included in the ballot count of votes. They do however form
part of the reconciliation of the use of ballot papers by the polling officials.
Spoilt ballots should not be confused with "Discarded Ballots" which
are those ballots found on the floor of polling booths (polling places) or in
the rubbish receptacles within polling booths. (See also Discarded Ballots).
|
| Strike
Ballot | In
an Australian context, a Ballot ordered under the provisions of Sections 135 or
136 of the (Commonwealth) Workplace Relations Act 1996.
|
| Strike-out
Method | A
ballot making approach under the first past the post method, but where voters
strike out the names of candidates for whom they do not wish to vote.
|
| Suffrage | The
right of a person to vote in Elections.
|
| Surplus | In
a proportional representation based voting system, the number of votes a candidate
receives over the "quota". Surplus votes are distributed to unelected
continuing candidates according to the further preferences indicated thereon the
relevant ballots. (Also see Single Transferable Vote).
|
| Survey | A
poll conducted that registers voter, member, employee or general public opinion
on various issues. Surveys may be conducted by paper-based, telephone or other
electronic means. The results of surveys are tabulated and reported applying various
statistical methodologies.
|
| Swing | The
percentage shift in vote required for a seat (constituency) to be won or lost,
by an elected incumbent representative.
|
| Swinging
Voter | A
voter who does not demonstrate a steady pattern of voting for the same political
party or group.
|
| Tabulation | The
process of counting ballots.
|
| Tally
Room | Usually
applicable in the context of larger-scale parliamentary elections, the actual
accommodation used where the votes cast in an election are centrally tabulated,
posted and released to the media and the public.
|
| Third
Party Certification | The
process by which an organisation might seek to have an election process audited
by some independent person or body.
|
| Transfer
value | Under
a proportional representation system, the particular value that a candidate's
surplus votes are distributed and allocated to continuing candidates. (Also see
Hare Clarke, Proportional Representation and Single Transferable Vote).
|
| Turnout | Turnout
represents the percentage of eligible electors/eligible members/employees who
vote in a ballot or election. In non-compulsory elections for office, the turnout
would normally be expected to be from 10% to 33%. In Certified Agreement/Enterprise
Bargaining Ballots, turnout is usually 50% to 70%. In Australian (compulsory)
federal elections, turnout is of the order 90% to 96%.
|
| Two-Candidate
Preferred Count | Please
refer to Two Party Preferred Count below.
|
| Two
Party Preferred Count | This
is an indicative sort and count of votes conducted in a polling place, once the
first preference count in a parliamentary election has been completed. It's primary
purpose is to provide an indication of the likely election outcome by notionally
distributing the preferences of minor candidates to the (anticipated) two major
candidates. This count is sometimes referred to as the "Two Candidate Preferred
Count" or "Notional Distribution of Preferences." Government Electoral
Commissioners determine the "major candidates". (Also see Notional Distribution
of Preferences).
|
| Uncontested
Election | The
situation of having either an insufficient number, or just the requisite number,
of eligible nominees nominating for the available number of vacant positions.
|
| Undirected
Votes | Where
a member has returned a proxy form but has not directed the proxyholder to vote
either for, against or abstain on the item of business these voted are called
undirected or open votes. The proxyholder can vote these how they wish when a
poll is called at the meeting.
|
| Validation | The
process of validating a person's entitlement to have their vote admitted to the
count. Also referred to as "preliminary scrutiny". Validation may involve,
for example, the checking of voter signatures on declaration votes, the marking
back of voters to the voter roll, the checking /verification of membership numbers
etc. (Also see Preliminary Scrutiny and Scanning).
|
| Visitor | A
person attending a meeting who is neither a member nor proxyholder. Visitors cannot
speak or vote at the meeting.
|
| Voluntary
Voting | Under
systems of voluntary voting, eligible electors/eligible members/employees have
a choice as to whether or not they exercise the franchise - their right to vote.
(Also see Compulsory Voting).
|
| Vote | The
formal process by which an eligible voter participates in a ballot/election/referendum
by marking/selecting candidate(s), issues, or proposals, (as the case may be),
but according to their free choice.
|
| Voter | The
persons who participate by voting in an ballot/election/referendum.
|
| Voter
Database | The
list, electronic format, of persons deemed eligible to vote in a ballot/election/referendum.
(Also see Roll/Roll of Voters).
|
| Voter
Roll | See
Voter database above and Roll/Roll of Voters.
|
| Voting
Compartment/Voting Screen | These
are special cubicles in which eligible voters secretly cast votes in a ballot/election/referendum.
Voting compartments are often manufactured of collapsible wood or cardboard construction
to facilitate their transportation to/from polling booths/polling places. The
number of screens provided in a poling booth will be a function of the anticipated
turnout (the number of voters voting at the polling booth). In Australian elections,
a fairly standard allocation is based upon approximately 150 voters per screen.
Provision as to suitable voting facilities is also made in polling booths to ensure
that the special needs of electors having a physical disability are also met.
|
| Voting
Exclusions | The
nature of some meeting business will require that certain members (e.g. Directors,
major shareholders, certain classes of members) are excluded from voting on certain
motions in which they have an interest. The exclusions must be detailed in the
Notice of Meeting.
|
| Voting
Ticket | Where
provided, by way of Legislation, Constitution, Rules or By-laws, these "tickets"
represent a formal written, printed statement of preferences lodged by candidates,
by an approved electoral group or by a political party, and following the close
of nominations and the draw for positions on the ballot (if any). Voting Tickets
are usually displayed within polling booths/polling places for the availability
and perusal of electors. Candidates/parties attempt to maximise their opportunities
for election by recommending in the Voting Tickets (and through "how to vote
cards", the manner in which electors might mark their ballot(s).
(Also
see Group Voting Ticket).
|
| Westminster
System | The
British Parliamentary System. Australia's parliamentary system has its basis in
a Westminster system.
|
| Writ |
The formal, legal
document authorising the conduct of an election. (Also see Return of the Writ).
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