Martin Lehmann 18 August 2010

If you want to gain maximum benefit from your Senate vote, then you should vote below the line. By putting a "1" above the line for the party of your choice you are giving away some control of your vote. For instance you may want to vote Labor but don't like the Greens. By giving your vote to Labor, you are giving your second preference to the Greens as these two parties have entered into a controversial preference swap deal.

If you really want to have your say then you should vote below the line, putting a number in every square in your order of preference.