How is voting in a state election different to a federal election?
South Australians return to the polls in 2026, but for many young people a federal election is all they’ve been eligible to vote in before. This election may even be the first ever election you can vote in.
Broadly, this election is to elect state representatives who will make decisions in areas that are state responsibilities. For more info on what different levels of government are responsible for here.
We vote in ALMOST the same way in both state and federal elections. We get a lower house (green) and upper house (white) ballot to fill out and number every box on the lower house ballot from your most to least preferred candidate.
The upper house ballot is where we have a key difference. You still have the option to vote ‘above’ or ‘below’ the line, but if you’re voting above you only need to number one box, rather than numbering at least six in a federal election.
If you’re voting below the line it’s the same as the federal election, number at least 12 boxes.
We preference candidates so that if your first choice doesn’t get the votes they need to win a seat your vote can transfer to your next choice. Your vote will only ever be transferred by the preferences you select.
Election cycles are often accompanied by misinformation circulating on social media about preferences, and one we hear every time is: preferencing minor parties and independents is a wasting your vote.
The idea that voting for someone who may not get enough votes to win a seat isn’t valid is quite simply untrue. If the seat is going to come down to the two major parties then your vote will just transfer to whichever you preferenced higher.
