Australian House of Representatives elections use full-preferential voting: voters number every box. If no candidate has more than half the first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest is excluded and their ballots pass to each voter’s next preference, repeating until someone has more than half. Practical lesson: rank the candidate you most want to win first and the one you most want to lose last.
Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party) won Ballarat in 2025 with 63,419 of the 104,540 votes in the final count, beating Paula DORAN (Liberal) by 22,298 votes (60.7% to 39.3%). King led on first preferences with 42.4% of 104,540 formal votes and passed the 52,271-vote majority at count 5.
104,540 formal votes7 candidates5 counts22,298-vote final margin
Each column is a count. Bar height = votes held; the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes flow to the others. Hover or tap a candidate to highlight their flows.
What happened, count by count
Initially 104,540 first-preference votes were counted. The candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes pass to the voters' next preference, and so on until two remain.
On count 1, Ryan REDFERN (Libertarian) was excluded; their 1,380 votes were distributed: 395 (28.6%) to Luke PARKER; 349 (25.3%) to Terri PRYSE-SMITH; 285 (20.7%) to Ian Maxwell HARKNESS; 153 (11.1%) to Paula DORAN and 2 more.
On count 2, Luke PARKER (Independent) was excluded; their 3,329 votes were distributed: 1,130 (33.9%) to Ian Maxwell HARKNESS; 621 (18.7%) to Terri PRYSE-SMITH; 609 (18.3%) to Catherine KING; 555 (16.7%) to John BARNES and 1 more.
On count 3, Ian Maxwell HARKNESS (Family First) was excluded; their 4,472 votes were distributed: 1,773 (39.6%) to Terri PRYSE-SMITH; 1,129 (25.2%) to Paula DORAN; 901 (20.1%) to Catherine KING; 669 (15.0%) to John BARNES.
On count 4, Terri PRYSE-SMITH (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 10,772 votes were distributed: 6,734 (62.5%) to Paula DORAN; 2,313 (21.5%) to Catherine KING; 1,725 (16.0%) to John BARNES.
On count 5, John BARNES (The Greens) was excluded; their 18,017 votes were distributed: 15,209 (84.4%) to Catherine KING; 2,808 (15.6%) to Paula DORAN.
Finally, Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party) won with 63,419 votes to 41,121 for Paula DORAN (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Ballarat 2025: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Ryan REDFERNLibertarian
1,380
Luke PARKER (IND): 395 (28.6%)
Terri PRYSE-SMITH (ON): 349 (25.3%)
Ian Maxwell HARKNESS (FFPA): 285 (20.7%)
Paula DORAN (LP): 153 (11.1%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 114 (8.3%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 84 (6.1%)
2
Luke PARKERIndependent
3,329
Ian Maxwell HARKNESS (FFPA): 1,130 (33.9%)
Terri PRYSE-SMITH (ON): 621 (18.7%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 609 (18.3%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 555 (16.7%)
Paula DORAN (LP): 414 (12.4%)
3
Ian Maxwell HARKNESSFamily First
4,472
Terri PRYSE-SMITH (ON): 1,773 (39.6%)
Paula DORAN (LP): 1,129 (25.2%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 901 (20.1%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 669 (15.0%)
4
Terri PRYSE-SMITHPauline Hanson's One Nation
10,772
Paula DORAN (LP): 6,734 (62.5%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 2,313 (21.5%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 1,725 (16.0%)
5
John BARNESThe Greens
18,017
Catherine KING (ALP): 15,209 (84.4%)
Paula DORAN (LP): 2,808 (15.6%)
Votes after every count
Ballarat 2025: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Catherine KINGAustralian Labor Party · elected
44,273
44,387
44,996
45,897
48,210
63,419
Paula DORANLiberal
29,883
30,036
30,450
31,579
38,313
41,121
John BARNESThe Greens
14,984
15,068
15,623
16,292
18,017
–
Terri PRYSE-SMITHPauline Hanson's One Nation
8,029
8,378
8,999
10,772
–
–
Ian Maxwell HARKNESSFamily First
3,057
3,342
4,472
–
–
–
Luke PARKERIndependent
2,934
3,329
–
–
–
–
Ryan REDFERNLibertarian
1,380
–
–
–
–
–
2022 Federal election
Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party) won Ballarat in 2022 with 60,770 of the 96,500 votes in the final count, beating Ben GREEN (Liberal) by 25,040 votes (63.0% to 37.0%). King led on first preferences with 44.7% of 96,500 formal votes and passed the 48,251-vote majority at count 6.
96,500 formal votes8 candidates6 counts25,040-vote final margin
Each column is a count. Bar height = votes held; the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes flow to the others. Hover or tap a candidate to highlight their flows.
What happened, count by count
Initially 96,500 first-preference votes were counted. The candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes pass to the voters' next preference, and so on until two remain.
On count 1, Kerryn SEDGMAN (Australian Federation Party) was excluded; their 682 votes were distributed: 158 (23.2%) to Alex GRAHAM; 131 (19.2%) to Julia McGRATH; 131 (19.2%) to Rosalie TAXIS; 113 (16.6%) to Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH and 3 more.
On count 2, Alex GRAHAM (Independent) was excluded; their 2,202 votes were distributed: 543 (24.7%) to John BARNES; 380 (17.3%) to Catherine KING; 369 (16.8%) to Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH; 354 (16.1%) to Rosalie TAXIS and 2 more.
On count 3, Julia McGRATH (Liberal Democrats) was excluded; their 3,638 votes were distributed: 1,320 (36.3%) to Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH; 841 (23.1%) to Ben GREEN; 755 (20.8%) to Rosalie TAXIS; 493 (13.6%) to Catherine KING and 1 more.
On count 4, Rosalie TAXIS (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 4,716 votes were distributed: 2,948 (62.5%) to Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH; 766 (16.2%) to Catherine KING; 654 (13.9%) to Ben GREEN; 348 (7.4%) to John BARNES.
On count 5, Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 8,443 votes were distributed: 4,406 (52.2%) to Ben GREEN; 2,470 (29.3%) to Catherine KING; 1,567 (18.6%) to John BARNES.
On count 6, John BARNES (The Greens) was excluded; their 16,813 votes were distributed: 13,440 (79.9%) to Catherine KING; 3,373 (20.1%) to Ben GREEN.
Finally, Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party) won with 60,770 votes to 35,730 for Ben GREEN (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Ballarat 2022: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Kerryn SEDGMANAustralian Federation Party
682
Alex GRAHAM (IND): 158 (23.2%)
Julia McGRATH (LDP): 131 (19.2%)
Rosalie TAXIS (ON): 131 (19.2%)
Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH (UAPP): 113 (16.6%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 50 (7.3%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 50 (7.3%)
Ben GREEN (LP): 49 (7.2%)
2
Alex GRAHAMIndependent
2,202
John BARNES (GVIC): 543 (24.7%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 380 (17.3%)
Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH (UAPP): 369 (16.8%)
Rosalie TAXIS (ON): 354 (16.1%)
Julia McGRATH (LDP): 291 (13.2%)
Ben GREEN (LP): 265 (12.0%)
3
Julia McGRATHLiberal Democrats
3,638
Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH (UAPP): 1,320 (36.3%)
Ben GREEN (LP): 841 (23.1%)
Rosalie TAXIS (ON): 755 (20.8%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 493 (13.6%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 229 (6.3%)
4
Rosalie TAXISPauline Hanson's One Nation
4,716
Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITH (UAPP): 2,948 (62.5%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 766 (16.2%)
Ben GREEN (LP): 654 (13.9%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 348 (7.4%)
5
Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITHUnited Australia Party
8,443
Ben GREEN (LP): 4,406 (52.2%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 2,470 (29.3%)
John BARNES (GVIC): 1,567 (18.6%)
6
John BARNESThe Greens
16,813
Catherine KING (ALP): 13,440 (79.9%)
Ben GREEN (LP): 3,373 (20.1%)
Votes after every count
Ballarat 2022: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Count 6
Catherine KINGAustralian Labor Party · elected
43,171
43,221
43,601
44,094
44,860
47,330
60,770
Ben GREENLiberal
26,142
26,191
26,456
27,297
27,951
32,357
35,730
John BARNESThe Greens
14,076
14,126
14,669
14,898
15,246
16,813
–
Terri Elizabeth PRYSE-SMITHUnited Australia Party
3,693
3,806
4,175
5,495
8,443
–
–
Rosalie TAXISPauline Hanson's One Nation
3,476
3,607
3,961
4,716
–
–
–
Julia McGRATHLiberal Democrats
3,216
3,347
3,638
–
–
–
–
Alex GRAHAMIndependent
2,044
2,202
–
–
–
–
–
Kerryn SEDGMANAustralian Federation Party
682
–
–
–
–
–
–
2019 Federal election
Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party) won Ballarat in 2019 with 62,615 of the 102,683 votes in the final count, beating Tim VO (Liberal) by 22,547 votes (61.0% to 39.0%). King led on first preferences with 47.8% of 102,683 formal votes and passed the 51,342-vote majority at count 4.
102,683 formal votes7 candidates5 counts22,547-vote final margin
Each column is a count. Bar height = votes held; the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes flow to the others. Hover or tap a candidate to highlight their flows.
What happened, count by count
Initially 102,683 first-preference votes were counted. The candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes pass to the voters' next preference, and so on until two remain.
On count 1, Alex GRAHAM (Independent) was excluded; their 1,645 votes were distributed: 1,061 (64.5%) to Nick SHADY; 150 (9.1%) to Peter COZYN; 123 (7.5%) to Catherine KING; 120 (7.3%) to Bryn HILLS and 2 more.
On count 2, Nick SHADY (Independent) was excluded; their 3,349 votes were distributed: 846 (25.3%) to Peter COZYN; 765 (22.8%) to Tim VO; 666 (19.9%) to Catherine KING; 639 (19.1%) to Bryn HILLS and 1 more.
On count 3, Bryn HILLS (Animal Justice Party) was excluded; their 5,152 votes were distributed: 1,840 (35.7%) to Karen McALOON; 1,595 (31.0%) to Peter COZYN; 1,163 (22.6%) to Catherine KING; 554 (10.8%) to Tim VO.
On count 4, Peter COZYN (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 7,332 votes were distributed: 3,331 (45.4%) to Tim VO; 2,370 (32.3%) to Karen McALOON; 1,631 (22.2%) to Catherine KING.
On count 5, Karen McALOON (The Greens (VIC)) was excluded; their 13,818 votes were distributed: 9,955 (72.0%) to Catherine KING; 3,863 (28.0%) to Tim VO.
Finally, Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party) won with 62,615 votes to 40,068 for Tim VO (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Ballarat 2019: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Alex GRAHAMIndependent
1,645
Nick SHADY (IND): 1,061 (64.5%)
Peter COZYN (UAPP): 150 (9.1%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 123 (7.5%)
Bryn HILLS (AJP): 120 (7.3%)
Karen McALOON (GVIC): 98 (6.0%)
Tim VO (LP): 93 (5.7%)
2
Nick SHADYIndependent
3,349
Peter COZYN (UAPP): 846 (25.3%)
Tim VO (LP): 765 (22.8%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 666 (19.9%)
Bryn HILLS (AJP): 639 (19.1%)
Karen McALOON (GVIC): 433 (12.9%)
3
Bryn HILLSAnimal Justice Party
5,152
Karen McALOON (GVIC): 1,840 (35.7%)
Peter COZYN (UAPP): 1,595 (31.0%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 1,163 (22.6%)
Tim VO (LP): 554 (10.8%)
4
Peter COZYNUnited Australia Party
7,332
Tim VO (LP): 3,331 (45.4%)
Karen McALOON (GVIC): 2,370 (32.3%)
Catherine KING (ALP): 1,631 (22.2%)
5
Karen McALOONThe Greens (VIC)
13,818
Catherine KING (ALP): 9,955 (72.0%)
Tim VO (LP): 3,863 (28.0%)
Votes after every count
Ballarat 2019: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Catherine KINGAustralian Labor Party · elected
49,077
49,200
49,866
51,029
52,660
62,615
Tim VOLiberal
31,462
31,555
32,320
32,874
36,205
40,068
Karen McALOONThe Greens (VIC)
9,077
9,175
9,608
11,448
13,818
–
Peter COZYNUnited Australia Party
4,741
4,891
5,737
7,332
–
–
Bryn HILLSAnimal Justice Party
4,393
4,513
5,152
–
–
–
Nick SHADYIndependent
2,288
3,349
–
–
–
–
Alex GRAHAMIndependent
1,645
–
–
–
–
–
About this page
Australian House of Representatives elections use full-preferential voting: voters number every box. If no candidate has more than half the first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest is excluded and their ballots pass to each voter’s next preference, repeating until someone has more than half. Practical lesson: rank the candidate you most want to win first and the one you most want to lose last.
