YWCA Australia 2013 Federal Election Survey

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* 1. What is your gender?

Female

Male

Prefer not to specify

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What is your age?

18-20

21-24

25-27

28-30

30+

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* 3. Was the 2013 federal election, on September 7, the first time you voted in a federal election?

Yes, I've never voted before

Yes but I have voted in state and/or local elections

No, I've voted in federal elections

Not sure/Can't remember

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* 4. Do you think your vote was counted? i.e. Did you cast a formal vote?

Not sure

Yes

I deliberately cast an informal vote

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* 5. How did you feel filling out your Senate ballot paper (the larger, white ballot) in the 2013 federal election? Tick as many that apply.

Confused

Empowered

Underwhelmed

Excited

Enthusiastic

Bored

Diligent

Informed

Like I knew what I was doing/who I was voting for

Like I had no idea what I was doing

Other - Please tell us more

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* 6. Feel free to tell us some more about how you felt voting for the Senate.

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* 7. Do you think that the Senate ballot paper is set out in a way that makes it easy to vote for who you want?

Yes

Sort of

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* 8. How would you make voting in the Senate easier for you?

Optional Preferential Voting Above the Line - That is, being able to number as many boxes as you choose above the line. This is currently not available.

Reduce the Requirements of Voting Below the Line - At the moment every single candidate needs to be numbered for a below the line vote to be formal. By reducing this requirement to, for example 10% of candidates, you could cast a formal vote without having to number every candidate.

More Available and Easy to Access Information on the Senate Preference Deals - Currently, if you vote above the line, your preferences are decided by the party/candidate of your vote. Not every voter knows where their above the line vote preferences will go.

Fewer parties and candidates - Tighter restrictions on party and candidate registration would mean fewer candidates and parties on the ballot paper. At the moment a party needs 500-550 members checked on the electoral roll.

Nothing - Keep the Senate ballot paper as is.

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* 9. What is the main source of information you use in deciding who to vote for in both the House of Representatives and the Senate? Tick as many that apply.

Friends

Political party websites

Other issues-based websites

Candidates forums and debates

News/media

Political advertisements and campaign material (tv/radio/how to vote)

Parents/guardians and other family

Partners

Social Media

Uni/TAFE/School

Work

I vote the same way every election

I make up my mind on the day

Other - tell us more