• A ballot paper is formal if it has a number "1" marked on it and has consecutive preferences for the remaining candidates.
  
• A ballot paper may still be formal if one square is left blank provided it is marked as above and the vacant square is the voter's last preference.

• If the ballot paper is not authenticated by the initials of the presiding officer or by an official mark.
• If the ballot paper is not marked at all.
• If ticks or crosses have been used.
• If the ballot paper is marked in a manner that identifies the voter.
• If a duplication of numbers or a break of consecutive numbering occurs or two or more preferences are omitted.

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.

• 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.

Formal

• A number must be placed in every square, from "1" to the number of candidates on the ballot paper.
• Numbers in squares may be spelt out as words ("one", "two") or ordinals ("first", "second") or roman numerals ("II", "IV").
• One square may be left unnumbered.
• It must be initialled by the polling official.
• In general; any such markings that make the voter's intention clear are allowed.

• If numbers are repeated or omitted.
• Ticks and crosses are not allowed.
• "Yes" or "No" are not allowed.

Formal

• The voter's intention must be clear.
• It must have a "1" or a "" or a "" against the name of one candidate.

• If it has no marking on it.
• If it has a combination of two or more of "1" or "" or a "".
• If it has a mark or writing which identifies the voter.
• If it is discarded.

Formal

• Where there are 3 or more candidates the elector is directed to number "1", "2", "3" on the ballot paper, and may indicate preferences for remaining candidates.
• Where there are 3 candidates, "1", "2", blank is to be taken to be "1", "2", "3".
• Where there are 2 candidates the elector is directed to number "1" and "2" on the ballot paper.

• No vote has been recorded.
• The voter has not voted in the directed manner.
• It contains any unauthorised mark or writing which would identify the voter.
• Ballot paper not authenticated.
  Note: A ballot paper is not informal if in the opinion of the returning officer the voter's intention is clear.

Formal

• Consecutive numerical preferences are indicated against the names of all candidates commencing with the number "1".
• A "" or a "" constitutes a "1" on the ballot paper.
• If one square is left blank it is presumed that candidate is least preferred by the voter.
• If the last number is not consecutive (eg, 1, 2, 3, 4, 19) it is presumed that the candidate against which that last number is marked is least preferred by the elector.
• Numbers placed outside the square are acceptable if the voter's intention is clear.

• The number "1", a or a or any combination of these appears in or against two or more squares.
• If a ballot paper is marked in a manner that identifies the elector.
• No vote marked on the ballot paper.
• No first preference indicated.
• A duplication of numbers or a break of consecutive numbering occurs or two or more preferences are omitted.
• A ballot paper is not authenticated by the initials of the issuing officer or by an official mark.
• A ballot paper not deposited in a ballot box. NB
• South Australian electoral legislation allows candidates to lodge one or two voting tickets. A voting ticket is a written statement of a particular order in which a voter might allocate preferences in an election and is used to interpret the votes of a voter who does not indicate an order of preference covering all candidates. A voting ticket can therefore render a vote formal that would otherwise be informal.

Formal

• Where there are 3 or more candidates the elector is directed to number "1", "2", "3" on the ballot paper, and may indicate preferences for remaining candidates.
• Where there are 3 candidates, "1", "2", blank is to be taken to be "1", "2", "3".
• Where there are 2 candidates the elector is directed to number "1" and "2" on the ballot paper.

• No vote has been recorded.
• The voter has not voted in the directed manner.
• It contains any unauthorised mark or writing which would identify the voter.
• Ballot paper not authenticated.
  Note: A ballot paper is not informal if in the opinion of the returning officer the voter's intention is clear.

Formal

• A ballot paper is formal if it has a number "1" marked on it and has consecutive preferences for the remaining candidates.
• A ballot paper may still be formal if one square is left blank provided it is marked as above and the vacant square is the voter's last preference.
• Similarly, if there are only 2 candidates, and only one square is marked with the number "1", it is formal.

• If no vote is indicated.
• It does not indicate a voter's first preference for one candidate and preferences for other candidates.