office-bloc ballot

politics

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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The office-block ballot is a type of Australian ballot where candidates are grouped under the titles of the offices they are running for, rather than being listed by party. This format contrasts with party-column ballots, where all candidates from a single party are listed together, allowing for a "straight ticket" vote. The office-block arrangement encourages voters to consider individual candidates for each office, potentially discouraging a purely partisan vote. This method of organizing candidates on a ballot can influence election outcomes, particularly in nonpartisan elections or for minor offices.12

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election
Balloting
Conversely, on the office-bloc ballot, voters choose individual candidates grouped by office rather than party, which discourages voting exclusively for members of one party, though some jurisdictions that use the office-bloc ballot allow voters to cast a straight ticket.
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Conversely, on the office-bloc ballot, voters choose individual candidates grouped by office rather than party, which discourages voting exclusively for members of one party, though some jurisdictions that use the office-bloc ballot allow voters to cast a straight ticket.
Read More