Election Facts: STOP and CONSIDER
You probably see and hear a lot of things online. During an election, the amount of information out there might double – especially on social media. So, it’s important to STOP and CONSIDER if information is factual before you share it.
Ask yourself a few questions. Is it reputable? Is it current? Is it a scam?
- Who is behind the information? Has it come from a reliable person or organisation?
- Is it authorised information? If an election has been called and it’s a message that seeks to influence the way people vote, it must include an authorisation statement. The statement must include a person’s name and street address. It is an offence in Queensland to mislead electors about the process of voting
- Is it sponsored advertising? Check who is paying for the advertising. You can check this on social media by clicking on the three dots (also called an ellipsis) on a post. Advertising might also be marked as ‘sponsored’ or ‘paid for by…’
- When was it published? If it’s not current, it might not have all the latest facts.
- Always check the original source and the date it was published.
- Who is spreading the information? Check whether it has been posted by a human or a ‘bot’.
- You can do this by looking at the profile of the account posting the information to see if it is legitimate. Look at the account’s posting history and number of followers to help you determine the accounts’ legitimacy.
We take electoral integrity extremely seriously
No one understands electoral processes and our electoral system like we do, and that’s why we will actively correct misinformation and disinformation when we see it.
What is disinformation and misinformation?
- Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead.
- Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally.
We will always call out and correct disinformation and misinformation when we see or hear it.
We are Queensland’s electoral experts
| We are independent. | The ECQ is an independent statutory authority responsible for the impartial delivery of state, local government and industrial elections and the regulation of compliance with funding and disclosure laws. |
|---|---|
| We are politically neutral. | The ECQ is independent and impartial. Our staff, including our election field staff, are politically neutral. |
| We are trusted. | The ECQ is the foremost authority on Queensland’s electoral system with a reputation for integrity. Our staff are skilled, professional subject matter experts when it comes to elections in Queensland. |
| We are transparent. | The ECQ adheres to the highest levels of integrity and transparency when it comes to conducting elections. The security and integrity of electoral processes is something we take extremely seriously. |
| We deal in the facts. | The ECQ will proactively defend the electoral process and our democracy. This includes actively correcting misinformation or disinformation when we see it. |
| We are respected. | The ECQ is Queensland’s trusted provider of fair and secure elections. Queenslanders respect our independence and integrity and trust our role as an independent ‘umpire’. |
The ECQ has established an election facts register to correct electoral misinformation and disinformation. It includes common topics and those that are brought to our attention.
It’s the job of Queenslanders to assess the truth of statements that are made by political parties and candidates before they cast their vote at an election. Under the Electoral Act 1992, the ECQ is not responsible for regulating truth in political communication and advertising.
When it comes to electoral processes, the ECQ is the expert. We will always provide factual, open information, and we will always actively defend Australia’s democracy.
Our website is your source of electoral facts. If you’re not sure about something you’ve heard or read, make sure you check it and verify it is correct before you share it.
Election Facts Register
When misinformation is spread, Queenslanders may choose to not participate in an election or doubt the integrity of the electoral system. The following incorrect statements are shared throughout the community but are not true.
Common misinformation
Full preferential voting is the system of voting used in a State general election. For a vote to be valid, the elector must number all boxes on the ballot paper in order of their preference.
Electors may choose to follow a candidate’s how to vote card, or they may make their own choices. Electors are the only people who decide their own preferences.
Category: Full preferential voting
Voters must meet eligibility criteria for early voting at the 2024 State general election.
All voters can vote early at this election if they choose.
Early voting is available from 14–25 October in most electorates in Queensland. Check the ECQ website for early voting locations for their area.
Category: Voting
You have vote in your local area in the 2024 State general election.
During a State general election like the election in October, you can vote at any early voting centre or polling place in Queensland.
Category: Voting
You can use AI for anything you want during an election.
The Electoral Act 1992 does not specifically address the use of AI in election campaigns. However, the authorisation of election material during an election period is regulated, and AI-generated publications must include a proper authorisation.
The publication of false statements of fact regarding the personal character and conduct of a candidate is prohibited. The person, people or organisation behind AI-generated material that breaches this prohibition may be subject to prosecution by the ECQ.
Category: Artificial Intelligence
The Electoral Act 1992 does not allow for voting machines to be used.
Category: Political Neutrality
Postal vote application mailouts are not illegal but the most direct and secure way to apply for a postal vote is via the ECQ website, rather than through a third-party letterbox drop.
If you apply directly to the ECQ it ensures that we receive the application immediately, and that you will receive your voting materials on time. You can apply here: https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/postalvote
Category: Postal Voting
All enrolled Queenslanders can access voting services during the elections. You do not need to be vaccinated to vote in person.
Category: COVID-19
While it’s not mandatory to be vaccinated to work for us at the elections, we’ll still ask you to let us know your vaccination status as part of our expression of interest process. This is so we can manage our staffing in specific communities and venues like declared institution (aged care facilities) where there might be conditions of entry in place. This helps us to ensure we are protecting the health and safety of residents.
Category: COVID-19
The ECQ does not require scrutineers to be vaccinated.
Category: COVID-19
Pencil marks on ballot papers are never erased.
Ballot papers are stored in sealed ballot boxes, with security seal numbers that are recorded and checked in the presence of scrutineers at the start of counting on election night. Ballot papers are sorted and counted under the observation of scrutineers.
Category: Voting
ECQ’s election officials observe the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of elections. Political neutrality is a requirement for employment with the ECQ and employees must adhere to the ECQ’s Political Neutrality Policy.
Category: Political Neutrality
The ECQ offers pencils at polling places because they don’t run out of ink and last much longer.
All Queensland electors are welcome to bring a pen with them to vote, if they prefer.
Category: Counting
Extensive integrity checks are in place to ensure that any attempted postal vote fraud is detected and dealt with immediately.
A range of security measures are embedded into the processing instructions to ensure the secrecy of the vote is upheld at all times during the postal vote processing.
Category: Postal Voting
The ECQ and its entire workforce are politically neutral.
The ECQ is independent and impartial and is not subject to direction by any Queensland Government Minister.
Category: Political Neutrality
All enrolled Queenslanders can vote during the elections, whether they bring their Voter Information Card with them or not.
The Voter Information Card includes a barcode on the front which helps you get in and out of the polling booth quicker on election day.
Category: Voting