Preferential Voting in Single Member Electorates - New South Wales

	Electoral Authority: State Electoral Office
Parliament which uses Preferential Voting	Legislative Assembly (Lower House)
Name of Preferential Voting system	Optional preferential
Formality/Informality points	Formal A or in a square opposite the name of a candidate is taken as a first preference vote for that candidate where there is no "1" also shown on the ballot-paper and all other squares are blank. The elector may indicate further preferences by placing consecutive numbers commencing with "2" in squares opposite the candidates' names in the order of his/her preference. A ballot-paper is formal where there is a break in sequence of preferences or where the same preference (other than the first preference) has been recorded for more than one candidate. In these cases the preferences are counted up to the break in the sequence of preferences or the duplication of preferences. Informal It has no marking on it. It contains a combination of two or more first preferences, "s" or "s". It has a mark on it which identifies the voter.
Directions on the Ballot Paper	(1999 Legislative Assembly election-with any number of candidates) Place the number "1" in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom you desire to give your first preference vote. You may, if you wish, vote for additional candidates by placing consecutive numbers beginning with the number "2" in the squares opposite the names of those additional candidates in the order of your preference for them.
Casual Vacancies	A casual vacancy is filled through a by-election.

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