Robson Rotation

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Robson Rotation is the method of having ballot papers in single transferable vote elections with candidates listed in different orders.

Ordinarily all ballot papers in an election are printed with the candidates' names in the same order, which can be random, determined by lot, or in alphabetical order: if two or more candidates consent to be grouped as a team, the grouping or party may specify the order of their names. This can give an advantage to the candidates listed highest on the paper, because they will attract a 'donkey vote'. Donkey voters are common in systems with compulsory voting where voters turn up to vote on election date to avoid a fine and number their ballot papers in the order of candidates on the ballot paper.

Using this method the number of permutations of candidates' names eliminates this bias, since different ballot papers are are randomly distributed. It was introduced in Tasmania by Neil Robson, Liberal MHA for Bass,[1][2] and first used in the Denison state by-election, 1980.

It was adopted in the Australian Capital Territory in 1995.[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Robson, Neil (2004), Everybody counts : Tasmania's unique electoral system Hare-Clark with Robson Rotation, Government Printer?, retrieved 19 December 2013 
  2. ↑ Tasmanian Parliamentary Library - House of Assembly Elections
  3. ↑ ACT Electoral Commission - Ballot Papers for the Legislative Assembly

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