The first past the post voting system is used in a number of other countries, including the United States and Great Britain.
Voters choose their favourite candidate and the candidate with the most votes is elected.
Optional preferential voting is the system used by New South Wales and Queensland. Voters mark a 1 in the box next to their first choice candidate and can, if they wish, fill in preferences for any or all of the remaining candidates. The system is called ' optional preferential' because voters do not have to number every box on the ballot paper. Proportional representation is a system of voting designed to elect representatives in proportion to the amount of support each has in the electorate. Proportional representation is used for the Federal Senate and in some State Houses of Parliament.