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.
Sophie SCAMPS (Independent) won Mackellar in 2025 with 62,255 of the 111,847 votes in the final count, beating James BROWN (Liberal) by 12,663 votes (55.7% to 44.3%). Scamps led on first preferences with 38.0% of 111,847 formal votes and passed the 55,924-vote majority at count 7.
111,847 formal votes9 candidates7 counts12,663-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 111,847 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, Mandeep SINGH (Independent) was excluded; their 702 votes were distributed: 244 (34.8%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 159 (22.6%) to James BROWN; 103 (14.7%) to Lisa COTTON; 57 (8.1%) to Jeffrey QUINN and 4 more.
On count 2, Amber ROBERTSON (Trumpet of Patriots) was excluded; their 1,632 votes were distributed: 603 (36.9%) to Brad HAYMAN; 358 (21.9%) to James BROWN; 226 (13.8%) to Justin ADDISON; 163 (10.0%) to Sophie SCAMPS and 3 more.
On count 3, Justin ADDISON (Libertarian) was excluded; their 2,197 votes were distributed: 1,304 (59.4%) to Brad HAYMAN; 351 (16.0%) to James BROWN; 233 (10.6%) to Lisa COTTON; 148 (6.7%) to Sophie SCAMPS and 2 more.
On count 4, Lisa COTTON (Independent) was excluded; their 2,777 votes were distributed: 855 (30.8%) to Brad HAYMAN; 832 (30.0%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 517 (18.6%) to James BROWN; 333 (12.0%) to Ethan HRNJAK and 1 more.
On count 5, Brad HAYMAN (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 5,613 votes were distributed: 3,467 (61.8%) to James BROWN; 957 (17.0%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 857 (15.3%) to Ethan HRNJAK; 332 (5.9%) to Jeffrey QUINN.
On count 6, Ethan HRNJAK (The Greens) was excluded; their 8,252 votes were distributed: 4,694 (56.9%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 2,139 (25.9%) to Jeffrey QUINN; 1,419 (17.2%) to James BROWN.
On count 7, Jeffrey QUINN (Labor) was excluded; their 16,409 votes were distributed: 12,735 (77.6%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 3,674 (22.4%) to James BROWN.
Finally, Sophie SCAMPS (Independent) won with 62,255 votes to 49,592 for James BROWN (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Mackellar 2025: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Mandeep SINGHIndependent
702
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 244 (34.8%)
James BROWN (LP): 159 (22.6%)
Lisa COTTON (IND): 103 (14.7%)
Jeffrey QUINN (ALP): 57 (8.1%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 47 (6.7%)
Amber ROBERTSON (CYA): 44 (6.3%)
Brad HAYMAN (ON): 26 (3.7%)
Justin ADDISON (LTP): 22 (3.1%)
2
Amber ROBERTSONTrumpet of Patriots
1,632
Brad HAYMAN (ON): 603 (36.9%)
James BROWN (LP): 358 (21.9%)
Justin ADDISON (LTP): 226 (13.8%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 163 (10.0%)
Lisa COTTON (IND): 144 (8.8%)
Jeffrey QUINN (ALP): 78 (4.8%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 60 (3.7%)
3
Justin ADDISONLibertarian
2,197
Brad HAYMAN (ON): 1,304 (59.4%)
James BROWN (LP): 351 (16.0%)
Lisa COTTON (IND): 233 (10.6%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 148 (6.7%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 97 (4.4%)
Jeffrey QUINN (ALP): 64 (2.9%)
4
Lisa COTTONIndependent
2,777
Brad HAYMAN (ON): 855 (30.8%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 832 (30.0%)
James BROWN (LP): 517 (18.6%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 333 (12.0%)
Jeffrey QUINN (ALP): 240 (8.6%)
5
Brad HAYMANPauline Hanson's One Nation
5,613
James BROWN (LP): 3,467 (61.8%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 957 (17.0%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 857 (15.3%)
Jeffrey QUINN (ALP): 332 (5.9%)
6
Ethan HRNJAKThe Greens
8,252
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 4,694 (56.9%)
Jeffrey QUINN (ALP): 2,139 (25.9%)
James BROWN (LP): 1,419 (17.2%)
7
Jeffrey QUINNLabor
16,409
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 12,735 (77.6%)
James BROWN (LP): 3,674 (22.4%)
Votes after every count
Mackellar 2025: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Count 6
Count 7
Sophie SCAMPSIndependent · elected
42,482
42,726
42,889
43,037
43,869
44,826
49,520
62,255
James BROWNLiberal
39,647
39,806
40,164
40,515
41,032
44,499
45,918
49,592
Jeffrey QUINNLabor
13,499
13,556
13,634
13,698
13,938
14,270
16,409
–
Ethan HRNJAKThe Greens
6,858
6,905
6,965
7,062
7,395
8,252
–
–
Brad HAYMANPauline Hanson's One Nation
2,825
2,851
3,454
4,758
5,613
–
–
–
Lisa COTTONIndependent
2,297
2,400
2,544
2,777
–
–
–
–
Justin ADDISONLibertarian
1,949
1,971
2,197
–
–
–
–
–
Amber ROBERTSONTrumpet of Patriots
1,588
1,632
–
–
–
–
–
–
Mandeep SINGHIndependent
702
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2022 Federal election
Sophie SCAMPS (Independent) won Mackellar in 2022 with 51,973 of the 98,991 votes in the final count, beating Jason FALINSKI (Liberal) by 4,955 votes (52.5% to 47.5%). Scamps came from behind: Falinski led on first preferences (41.4% to 38.1%) but preferences from excluded candidates put Scamps ahead at count 5.
98,991 formal votes7 candidates5 counts4,955-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 98,991 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, Barry STEELE (TNL) was excluded; their 575 votes were distributed: 225 (39.1%) to Darren DICKSON; 155 (27.0%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 70 (12.2%) to Ethan HRNJAK; 47 (8.2%) to Paula GOODMAN and 2 more.
On count 2, Darren DICKSON (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 2,849 votes were distributed: 1,645 (57.7%) to Christopher Thomas BALL; 516 (18.1%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 433 (15.2%) to Jason FALINSKI; 160 (5.6%) to Paula GOODMAN and 1 more.
On count 3, Christopher Thomas BALL (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 4,560 votes were distributed: 2,105 (46.2%) to Jason FALINSKI; 1,426 (31.3%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 576 (12.6%) to Paula GOODMAN; 453 (9.9%) to Ethan HRNJAK.
On count 4, Ethan HRNJAK (The Greens) was excluded; their 6,650 votes were distributed: 3,870 (58.2%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 1,957 (29.4%) to Paula GOODMAN; 823 (12.4%) to Jason FALINSKI.
On count 5, Paula GOODMAN (Labor) was excluded; their 10,902 votes were distributed: 8,282 (76.0%) to Sophie SCAMPS; 2,620 (24.0%) to Jason FALINSKI.
Finally, Sophie SCAMPS (Independent) won with 51,973 votes to 47,018 for Jason FALINSKI (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Mackellar 2022: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Barry STEELETNL
575
Darren DICKSON (ON): 225 (39.1%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 155 (27.0%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 70 (12.2%)
Paula GOODMAN (ALP): 47 (8.2%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 44 (7.7%)
Christopher Thomas BALL (UAPP): 34 (5.9%)
2
Darren DICKSONPauline Hanson's One Nation
2,849
Christopher Thomas BALL (UAPP): 1,645 (57.7%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 516 (18.1%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 433 (15.2%)
Paula GOODMAN (ALP): 160 (5.6%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 95 (3.3%)
3
Christopher Thomas BALLUnited Australia Party
4,560
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 2,105 (46.2%)
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 1,426 (31.3%)
Paula GOODMAN (ALP): 576 (12.6%)
Ethan HRNJAK (GRN): 453 (9.9%)
4
Ethan HRNJAKThe Greens
6,650
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 3,870 (58.2%)
Paula GOODMAN (ALP): 1,957 (29.4%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 823 (12.4%)
5
Paula GOODMANLabor
10,902
Sophie SCAMPS (IND): 8,282 (76.0%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 2,620 (24.0%)
Votes after every count
Mackellar 2022: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Jason FALINSKILiberal
40,993
41,037
41,470
43,575
44,398
47,018
Sophie SCAMPSIndependent · elected
37,724
37,879
38,395
39,821
43,691
51,973
Paula GOODMANLabor
8,162
8,209
8,369
8,945
10,902
–
Ethan HRNJAKThe Greens
6,032
6,102
6,197
6,650
–
–
Christopher Thomas BALLUnited Australia Party
2,881
2,915
4,560
–
–
–
Darren DICKSONPauline Hanson's One Nation
2,624
2,849
–
–
–
–
Barry STEELETNL
575
–
–
–
–
–
2019 Federal election
Jason FALINSKI (Liberal) won Mackellar in 2019 with 62,124 of the 98,262 votes in the final count, beating Declan STEELE (Labor) by 25,986 votes (63.2% to 36.8%). Falinski won on first preferences, with 53.0% of 98,262 formal votes (more than half: 49,132 needed).
98,262 formal votes7 candidates5 counts25,986-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 98,262 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, Greg LEVETT (Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)) was excluded; their 1,401 votes were distributed: 860 (61.4%) to Jason FALINSKI; 160 (11.4%) to David LYON; 140 (10.0%) to Alice THOMPSON; 99 (7.1%) to Declan STEELE and 2 more.
On count 2, David LYON (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 2,477 votes were distributed: 1,009 (40.7%) to Jason FALINSKI; 751 (30.3%) to Suzanne DALY; 404 (16.3%) to Alice THOMPSON; 160 (6.5%) to Declan STEELE and 1 more.
On count 3, Suzanne DALY (Sustainable Australia) was excluded; their 3,395 votes were distributed: 1,535 (45.2%) to Alice THOMPSON; 943 (27.8%) to Pru WAWN; 602 (17.7%) to Jason FALINSKI; 315 (9.3%) to Declan STEELE.
On count 4, Pru WAWN (The Greens) was excluded; their 12,427 votes were distributed: 6,890 (55.4%) to Declan STEELE; 4,197 (33.8%) to Alice THOMPSON; 1,340 (10.8%) to Jason FALINSKI.
On count 5, Alice THOMPSON (Independent) was excluded; their 18,251 votes were distributed: 12,026 (65.9%) to Declan STEELE; 6,225 (34.1%) to Jason FALINSKI.
Finally, Jason FALINSKI (Liberal) won with 62,124 votes to 36,138 for Declan STEELE (Labor).
Where the preferences went
Mackellar 2019: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Greg LEVETTChristian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
1,401
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 860 (61.4%)
David LYON (UAPP): 160 (11.4%)
Alice THOMPSON (IND): 140 (10.0%)
Declan STEELE (ALP): 99 (7.1%)
Suzanne DALY (SPP): 94 (6.7%)
Pru WAWN (GRN): 48 (3.4%)
2
David LYONUnited Australia Party
2,477
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 1,009 (40.7%)
Suzanne DALY (SPP): 751 (30.3%)
Alice THOMPSON (IND): 404 (16.3%)
Declan STEELE (ALP): 160 (6.5%)
Pru WAWN (GRN): 153 (6.2%)
3
Suzanne DALYSustainable Australia
3,395
Alice THOMPSON (IND): 1,535 (45.2%)
Pru WAWN (GRN): 943 (27.8%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 602 (17.7%)
Declan STEELE (ALP): 315 (9.3%)
4
Pru WAWNThe Greens
12,427
Declan STEELE (ALP): 6,890 (55.4%)
Alice THOMPSON (IND): 4,197 (33.8%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 1,340 (10.8%)
5
Alice THOMPSONIndependent
18,251
Declan STEELE (ALP): 12,026 (65.9%)
Jason FALINSKI (LP): 6,225 (34.1%)
Votes after every count
Mackellar 2019: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Jason FALINSKILiberal · elected
52,088
52,948
53,957
54,559
55,899
62,124
Declan STEELELabor
16,648
16,747
16,907
17,222
24,112
36,138
Alice THOMPSONIndependent
11,975
12,115
12,519
14,054
18,251
–
Pru WAWNThe Greens
11,283
11,331
11,484
12,427
–
–
Suzanne DALYSustainable Australia
2,550
2,644
3,395
–
–
–
David LYONUnited Australia Party
2,317
2,477
–
–
–
–
Greg LEVETTChristian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
1,401
–
–
–
–
–
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.
