How not to stuff up your vote at the Tasmanian election this month

Summary

The article explains how to correctly fill out a ballot paper for the Tasmanian election to avoid an informal vote. It details the number of boxes to number, what to write, and what to avoid.

Key Takeaways

1. Tasmania has a high rate of informal votes, which the Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) is trying to reduce through voter education.
2. To make your vote count, you must number at least seven candidate boxes with numerals from one to seven.
3. Mistakes like using ticks and crosses, missing numbers, or writing names on the ballot paper can invalidate your vote.

Statement Breakdown

• Claimed Facts: 75% of statements the article presents as facts
• Opinions: 15% of statements classified as editorial or subjective
• Claims: 10% of statements surfaced for additional reader evaluation

Credibility & Bias Reasoning

Credibility assessment: The article is published by ABC News, a reputable news organization. It primarily presents factual information about the Tasmanian election and voting procedures. Quotes from the Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner add to the credibility.

Bias assessment: Informational/Educational. The article focuses on providing information about how to vote correctly in the Tasmanian election. It aims to educate voters and reduce the number of informal votes. There is minimal detectable bias, as the article does not promote any particular political party or viewpoint.

Note: This article provides factual information about Tasmanian election procedures. While generally reliable, readers should verify specific details with official sources.

Credibility flag: Informative, Reliable

Claimed Facts (6)

• States the minimum and maximum number of boxes to number.
• Presents statistical data about informal voting rates.
• Provides a breakdown of the types of informal votes.
• Gives a specific number of voters who made a particular mistake.
• States a change in the number of members in the House of Assembly.
• Reports a direct quote from Mr. Hawkey regarding voting patterns.

Opinions (5)

• Poses a question that implies a potential motive behind informal votes.
• Offers an interpretation of the TEC's analysis.
• Interprets the TEC's view on the cause of increased informal votes.
• States a general observation about the cause of unintentional informal ballots.
• Expresses a subjective view on drawing on ballot papers.

Claims (5)

• Uses emotional language ('scramble') without providing specific evidence.
• Implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship without providing supporting data.
• This statement is vague and lacks specific criteria for classifying ballots as intentionally informal.
• This statement is vague and relies on assumed knowledge.
• The claim that folding the ballot paper helps keep it a secret is not necessarily true and depends on the transparency of the ballot box.

Key Sources

• Selina Bryan — Author
• www.abc.net.au — News Website
• Andrew Hawkey — Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner