Count update: Explaining “Informal/Other” votes
The NSW Electoral Commission is issuing a reminder that the number of informal votes in the 2024 Local Government elections will not be clear until much later in the vote count process. We expect all check counts to be completed week commencing 30 September. The website will be updated progressively.
Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Dr Matthew hillips said in the Initial count process several types of votes are allocated to the "Informal/Other” category in the NSW Electoral Commission’s Virtual tally room.
“At this early stage of the count process, the ‘Informal/Other” category does not just include informal votes. It also includes other types of votes that undergo further sorting and counting”, said Dr Phillips.
“For example, some candidates’ formal, Below the line votes are included in the " Informal/Other” category votes figure category. In the Virtual tally room these candidates are marked with an asterix.”
“During the Check count, these votes will be reviewed and, if formal, moved out of the ”Informal/Other” group and included in the formal count numbers.”
Dr Phillips said the “Informal/Other” category also includes ballot papers that are unclear ballot papers, and formal ballot papers that are marked both Above and Below the line.
In the Check count, all ballot papers will be data entered into our computer count system where each ballot paper is re-checked for formality and sorted to their correct category.
After the Check count, the “Informal/Other” votes number will reduce as the votes initially allocated to this category undergo scrutiny by election officials.
Counting is proceeding in line with legislative requirements and the published count timeline.
All count results (Initial counts, Check counts, and Distribution of preferences) will be published as soon as they are available.
The count cannot be concluded until all postal votes have been returned to the Electoral Commissioner. The deadline for return of completed postal votes is 6pm on Friday, 27 September 2024.
When all the votes have been counted, the official announcement of the elections result will be declared in writing. Results will be declared between 1 and 3 October 2024.
Read more information about the counting ballot papers or get more information about counting and results from our counting and results webinar and counting votes explainer.
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