What is the difference between a donkey vote and an informal vote?
A donkey vote is a vote that typically numbers the candidates down the ballot paper, with the first candidate labelled as 1 the second as 2 and so on. Less typically they may do it the other way around, beginning with a 1 on the bottom candidate. The donkey vote is considered formal because there is no way of distinguishing actual preference from a lack of consideration. An informal vote is a vote that fails to indicate preferences for all of the candidates, a vote that is left blank or a vote where numbers are left out or repeated. It can also be a vote that has been scribbled over and the ballot paper deliberately spoiled, or a vote whereby the voter is identified. Do derogatory remarks on ballot papers mean that the vote is informal, even if it doesn’t obscure the preferences? No not necessarily if preferences are clearly indicated. How many informal votes have been recorded in this election? The AEC is currently recording overall 5.6% of informal votes, which is what the percentage
