Preferences play a crucial role in deciding Australian elections. In 2022, the winning candidate polled a majority of first preference votes in just 15 out of 151 seats. In 16 seats, the eventual winner did not poll the most first-preference votes.
Parties and candidates issue how-to-vote cards to ensure voters cast a formal vote and to influence how they direct their preferences. That doesn’t mean voters always follow those recommendations, but in some close seats the order in which candidates are listed on how-to-votes can play a key role.
