How-to-vote card guidelines

About how-to-vote cards

A how-to-vote card is a guide that shows voters how a person or group wants you to fill out your ballot paper. We sometimes use the acronym 'HTVC' when talking about how-to-vote cards.

A HTVC has voting instructions and might include a representation of a ballot paper. Anyone can register a HTVC, including:

  • independent candidates
  • registered political parties
  • registered upper house groups
  • community groups, organisations, or charities
  • businesses
  • trade unions
  • members of the public.

A HTVC must be registered with us and be properly authorised if it is:

  • handed out within 400 metres of a voting centre on election day
  • distributed by our mobile voting teams.

A HTVC does not have to be registered with us, but must be still properly authorised if it is:

  • handed out more than 400 metres from a voting centre on election day
  • handed out at an early voting centre
  • published online.

How-to-vote cards (online or printed, registered or unregistered) are regulated separately from ‘electoral matter’. They must contain the name and address of the person who authorised the HTVC, as well as the name and place of business of the printer or publisher. There are penalties for how-to-vote cards that are not authorised properly, including the printer details. 

HTVC registration

Registration of HTVCs open before the close of the registration of group voting tickets.

Anyone wishing to submit a HTVC for a Legislative Council election is encouraged to wait until the close of group voting ticket registration.

You can find comprehensive instructions for registering a HTVC in the candidate handbook*.

Applications for registration can only be lodged during the HTVC registration period in a state election or state by-election.

HTVC types

Single

Anyone can register a ‘single’ HTVC containing voting instructions for one electoral district or region. 

Combined

Registered political parties can also register ‘combined’ HTVCs containing voting instructions for one or more electoral district or region where the registered political party has endorsed a candidate. 

Multiple

A ‘multiple’ HTVC contains voting instructions for every electoral district and/or region where the registered political party has endorsed candidates.

Only a registered political party can submit a combined or multiple HTVCs. 

The checklist and declaration form are in the Candidate kit*. You can also pick up a hard copy of any of these documents at the election office.

HTVC requirements

Prepare your how-to-vote card carefully. You must submit a final, print-ready digital copy (PDF only) and 2 hard copies. File size should be less than 4MB. Follow the HTVC card applicant checklist to avoid delays or refused registration. We can only register HTVCs that meet the requirements.

You must complete a declaration form for every card you want to register.

Registered political parties

Registered political parties can register their HTVCs directly at our head office. We will provide information on this process directly to each party.

Independent candidates, groups, and others

You must make an appointment at the election office in your district to register your HTVC in person. Detailed instructions will be available closer to an election.

HTVC archive

Browse an archive of how-to-vote cards:

*Recent changes to the Electoral Act 2002 mean some of our handbooks are under review. Some content may be out of date. We will publish updated versions reflecting the changes soon.