If you’re confused on how to vote, here is a simple guide

Here’s your guide on how to cast a valid vote this federal election.

Whether you’re a first-time or well-seasoned voter, here’s your go-to guide for the 2022 election. Picture: Supplied / AEC

After a relentless election campaign, it’s finally time to hit the polling booth and decide who will run the country for the next three years.

While the process may be all-too familiar for some, for others it could be a completely new – and daunting – process.

When you arrive at the polling location you will have your name marked off and be given two pieces of paper: a green ballot slip, and a (huge) white sheet. You need to fill in both of them, but slightly differently.

And leaving a box blank, or marking it wrong can disqualify your vote from being counted.

So whether it’s your first, fifth, of 15th federal election, here is your all encompassing guide to casting a valid vote and making sure you have your say this election.

How to vote: House of Representatives

The House of Reps is the lower house of parliament (the big green room in Canberra), and it’s where your local member sits.

Who wins in each of the 151 electorates across the country –find yours here– will decide who forms government.

To vote for a member of the House, you’ll need to preference EVERY candidate on that green slip of paper. For example.

How to vote: The Senate

Now for the most annoying, overwhelming task of election day: voting in the Senate.

The Senate is known as the upper house and is made of senators who represent the entire state.

There are two ways to vote on this table-cloth-sized ballot: above the line (for the parties), or below the line (for individual candidates). But the same preferential system applies.

But, this time, you don’t have to number all of the boxes if you don’t want to.

See how it’s done, below.

But don’t stress, if you make a mistake you can always return your ballot paper to the polling official who issued it and receive a fresh one.

Voting on election day (May 21) starts from 8am and closes at 6pm sharp. If you can’t make it on the day, see our guide on casting an early or postal vote here.

Originally published as If you’re confused on how to vote, here is a simple guide