Donkey voters risk a price after all

A council candidate has raised concerns about “donkey votes” impacting this weekend’s poll with many young people saying they don’t know who they are voting for.

With the threat of a $66.50 fine for failing to vote, there is a sense at prepolling that some people have opted for what is known as a “donkey vote” – a move where voters number the ballot paper from top to bottom with no consideration for candidates.

Unlike an informal vote, in which the ballot is filled out incorrectly, the donkey vote absolutely counts towards the tally. And young voters appear most likely to cast such a ballot paper.

The Bulletin visited the Christine Avenue pre-polling booth in Burleigh on Tuesday. Almost every young person the Bulletin spoke with at the booth had no idea who the candidates were.

Charlie Boyes and her friend Enzo Rios just turned 18, making them eligible to vote. But the youngsters said they had no idea who to vote for.

“We just don’t want to get fined so we vote for anyone,” Enzo said.

Burleigh Heads local Samantha Smith admitted to casting a donkey vote to avoid the fine and when asked if she knew any of the candidates said: “Zero out of 10. I could've voted for someone that is not for any of my benefits.”

Her friend Bianca Persico said it was like going in “blind”.

“Especially in our age group unfortunately, we’ve got no idea.”

Division 12 candidate Luke Henderson is lucky with the number one spot on the ballot paper.

However, despite being in an enviable position, Mr Henderson said he too was concerned about donkey votes and conceded more needs to be done to reach the youngest voters.

Asked if candidates should be recognised better, he said: “Especially to the younger residents of the division.

“We could only get out to them through boost, likes and shares but I guess they’ve got to want to engage with us too. It’s really concerning because I think in all different divisions there are quality candidates and some not so quality candidates.

“They’re (young voters) the ones who are going to be the most impacted by the work council does down the track.”

Pictures: Mohammad Alfares On the hustings (clockwise from top left): Charlie Boyes and Enzo Rios; Bianca Persico; Division 12 candidate Luke Henderson; and Samantha Smith at the Burleigh pre-polling booth.