How-to-vote card guidelines
About how-to-vote cards
A how-to-vote card is a printed guide that shows voters how a particular person or group wants you to fill out your ballot paper. We sometimes refer use the acronym 'HTVC' when talking about how-to-vote cards.
A how-to-vote card has voting instructions for one state district or state region only. Anyone can register a single how-to-vote card, including:
- independent candidates
- registered political parties
- registered upper house groups
- community groups, organisations, or charities
- businesses
- trade unions
- members of the public.
A how-to-vote card 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 how-to-vote card doesn't 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.
There are penalties for how-to-vote cards that are not authorised properly.
You can find comprehensive instructions for registering a how-to-vote card in the candidate handbook. Registrations are only allowed in specific registration periods in a state election or state by-election. You do not have to register any how-to-vote cards you create during local council elections.
How-to-vote card archive
Browse an archive of how-to-vote cards: