Election Process
Curtin University uses a combination of a web-based electronic voting system called "eVote" or a paper-based more traditional voting method to record and tally ballots. Irrespective of the voting method used (eVote or paper-based) the University uses the Optional Preferential Ballot method to count votes.
Elections conducted by the Secretariat
Overview of the Election Process
Optional Preferential Ballot
The voter numbers the candidate boxes in order of preference. To successfully register a vote, a number of boxes at least equal to the number of positions available must be selected and marked in numerical order of preference. However, if the voter wishes to number more choices in numerical order he or she may do so.
How the System works
The eVote system ensures ballot privacy and it is impossible to find out how any individual voter voted. Voters must authenticate their identity using both their Curtin University identity number and their password (the one that gives them access to all of Curtin's electronic information). Voters arrive at the eVote gateway by clicking on a hyperlink that is supplied to them for the purpose of voting in the election. They log in to vote using their LDAP identity (Curtin University ID number and password).
If login is successful, the voter sees a menu listing all ongoing elections in which they are eligible to vote. The voter clicks on the relevant 'Vote Now!' link. Ballot forms are displayed. The candidates' order is randomly displayed for each voter.
To vote, the voter chooses from the list of candidates, ranking them in order of preference in optional preferential elections. When ready, the voter selects the Confirm button. The ballot form with votes as chosen is displayed. A message advising voters to review their choices is displayed, and they may either confirm or change their vote.
To change the selection a voter may select the 'Change' button. Ballot forms are redisplayed and the voter continues as before until satisfied with his or her choices.
The voter selects the 'Confirm' button and the vote is accepted. If the voter is eligible to vote in other elections the 'Vote in Other Elections' screen is redisplayed; otherwise the screen shows that the voter has voted in the relevant election.
Votes are encrypted and stored in a database and the voters name is crossed out on an electronic roll. It is not possible to vote more than once in an election.
