Court dismisses United Australia party push to count crosses as valid votes in voice referendum

In his ruling, Justice Steven Rares told the court that crosses had more than one meaning and were ‘inherently' ambiguous’. Supporters of the no campaign have complained about the AEC’s decision to count ticks as valid votes. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Ticks on the voice referendum ballot paper will count as yes votes while crosses will be invalid, the federal court has ruled, rejecting a challenge brought by United Australia party senator Ralph Babet and Clive Palmer.

On Wednesday Justice Steven Rares ruled in favour of the Australian Electoral Commission, rejecting an argument from Babet and Palmer’s lawyers that ticks should also be invalid if crosses are not accepted as valid no votes.