The set of basic rules by which a country or state is governed. In Australia's case it is a document written in the 1890s which sets out the structure of Australian federal politics. The Constitution can only be amended through a constitutional referendum. Disputed Returns A candidate, elector or the Australian Electoral Commission may dispute the validity of an election by a petition to the High Court sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns. The court has wide powers to resolve the matter.
Declaration votes Votes that are sealed in an envelope signed by the voter.
A formal statement of the result of an election. Democracy Government on behalf of the people by their elected representatives. The process used to determine the winning candidate when no candidate wins an absolute majority of first preference votes. Division Geographical areas containing approximately equal numbers of voters as defined for federal electoral purposes. There is a divisional office in each of the 148 House of Representatives electoral divisions.