HASS · Year 6 · Democratic Values · Term 2

The Electoral Process: Voting & Representation

Investigate the Australian electoral system, including compulsory voting, preferential voting, and the importance of fair elections.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS6K04

About This Topic

The Power of the Vote explores the mechanics and significance of the Australian electoral system. Students learn about the principles of a fair election, the role of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), and the unique features of our democracy, such as compulsory voting and the preferential voting system. This topic is vital for preparing students to be active and informed citizens who understand how their voice contributes to the national direction.

By demystifying the 'green and white' ballot papers, students learn that voting is both a right and a responsibility. This connects to ACARA standards regarding the key features of the electoral process in Australia. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the preferential counting process, seeing how 'preferences' can change the outcome of an election.

Key Questions

1. Justify the rationale behind compulsory voting for Australian citizens.
2. Explain the mechanics of preferential voting and its intended outcomes.
3. Evaluate the criteria that define a fair and democratic election process.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the rationale behind compulsory voting in Australia.
• Explain the mechanics of preferential voting and predict its impact on election outcomes.
• Evaluate the criteria that constitute a fair and democratic election process.
• Compare the roles of the voter and elected representatives within the Australian democratic system.

Before You Start

Branches of Government in Australia

Why: Understanding the roles of the Parliament and the Executive is foundational to comprehending how elected representatives function.

Citizenship and Rights

Why: Students need to understand the concept of citizenship to grasp the responsibilities associated with voting.

Key Vocabulary

Compulsory Voting	A legal requirement in Australia for eligible citizens to register and vote in federal and state elections. Failure to do so can result in a fine.
Preferential Voting	An electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. The candidate who receives an absolute majority of votes is elected, or preferences are distributed until one candidate achieves this.
Absolute Majority	More than half of the total votes cast, typically 50% plus one vote. This is often required to win an election outright.
Electoral Commission	An independent body, such as the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), responsible for administering elections and ensuring they are conducted fairly and efficiently.
Ballot Paper	The paper document on which a voter records their vote. In Australia, these often require ranking candidates for preferential voting.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The person with the most 'number 1' votes always wins.

What to Teach Instead

In preferential voting, you need more than 50% of the total vote to win. Using a 'mock count' with physical tokens helps students see how second and third preferences can decide the winner.

Common Misconception

Compulsory voting is common all over the world.

What to Teach Instead

Australia is one of only a few countries that requires citizens to vote. Peer discussion comparing Australia to the USA or UK helps students understand that our system is quite unique.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Fruit Election

Hold a class vote for the 'Best Fruit' using preferential voting. Students rank their choices 1-4. The teacher demonstrates how the person with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed until someone gets a majority.

45 min·Whole Class

Formal Debate: Should Voting Be Compulsory?

Divide the class into teams to argue for and against compulsory voting. Students must consider points like 'civic duty' versus 'personal freedom' and how it affects the quality of government.

50 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: How to Run a Fair Election

Students create posters explaining the 'Rules of Democracy' (e.g., secret ballot, one person one vote, independent oversight). They walk around and peer-review each other's explanations of why these rules matter.

30 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) employs thousands of temporary staff during election periods to manage polling places, count votes, and ensure the integrity of the process across thousands of locations nationwide.
• Political scientists and commentators analyze election results, using data on how preferences flowed between candidates, to understand voter behavior and predict future political trends.
• Citizens directly engage with the electoral process when they attend a local polling booth on election day, filling out their ballot paper according to the rules of preferential voting.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are explaining compulsory voting to someone who has never heard of it. What are the two most important reasons you would give for why Australia has it?' Facilitate a class discussion where students share their justifications.

Quick Check

Provide students with a simplified ballot paper for a fictional election with three candidates. Ask them to demonstrate how they would fill it out to vote for their first choice, second choice, and third choice. Review their papers to check understanding of ranking.

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to write one sentence defining 'preferential voting' and one sentence explaining why fair elections are important for a democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does preferential voting work?

Instead of just picking one person, you rank candidates in order of your preference (1, 2, 3...). If no one gets more than half the votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is 'knocked out', and their votes go to whoever those voters picked as their second choice. This continues until someone has a majority.

Why is voting compulsory in Australia?

Australia introduced compulsory voting in 1924 to ensure that the government represents the views of as many people as possible. It encourages citizens to stay informed and prevents 'voter suppression', where certain groups are discouraged from voting.

What is the role of the AEC?

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent body that runs elections. They make sure the voting is secret, the counting is honest, and that every eligible person is on the 'electoral roll' so they can have their say.

How can active learning help students understand the voting system?

Preferential voting is notoriously difficult to explain through a lecture. By running a 'mock election' for something simple like a class snack or game, students see the math in action. This active participation turns a complex political concept into a clear, logical process.