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.
Sarah WITTY (Australian Labor Party) won Melbourne in 2025 with 51,663 of the 97,448 votes in the final count, beating Adam BANDT (The Greens) by 5,878 votes (53.0% to 47.0%). Witty came from behind: Bandt led on first preferences (39.5% to 31.3%) but preferences from excluded candidates put Witty ahead at count 5.
97,448 formal votes7 candidates5 counts5,878-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 97,448 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, Tim SMITH (Independent) was excluded; their 1,615 votes were distributed: 772 (47.8%) to Anthony KOUTOUFIDES; 272 (16.8%) to Sarah WITTY; 208 (12.9%) to Adam BANDT; 148 (9.2%) to Steph HUNT and 2 more.
On count 2, Helen HUANG (FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation) was excluded; their 2,042 votes were distributed: 960 (47.0%) to Adam BANDT; 430 (21.1%) to Sarah WITTY; 348 (17.0%) to Anthony KOUTOUFIDES; 217 (10.6%) to Steph HUNT and 1 more.
On count 3, Melanie CASEY (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 2,624 votes were distributed: 1,024 (39.0%) to Steph HUNT; 920 (35.1%) to Anthony KOUTOUFIDES; 545 (20.8%) to Sarah WITTY; 135 (5.1%) to Adam BANDT.
On count 4, Anthony KOUTOUFIDES (Independent) was excluded; their 5,244 votes were distributed: 2,367 (45.1%) to Steph HUNT; 1,622 (30.9%) to Sarah WITTY; 1,255 (23.9%) to Adam BANDT.
On count 5, Steph HUNT (Liberal) was excluded; their 23,023 votes were distributed: 18,253 (79.3%) to Sarah WITTY; 4,770 (20.7%) to Adam BANDT.
Finally, Sarah WITTY (Australian Labor Party) won with 51,663 votes to 45,785 for Adam BANDT (The Greens).
Where the preferences went
Melbourne 2025: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Tim SMITHIndependent
1,615
Anthony KOUTOUFIDES (IND): 772 (47.8%)
Sarah WITTY (ALP): 272 (16.8%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 208 (12.9%)
Steph HUNT (LP): 148 (9.2%)
Helen HUANG (SOPA): 116 (7.2%)
Melanie CASEY (ON): 99 (6.1%)
2
Helen HUANGFUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation
2,042
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 960 (47.0%)
Sarah WITTY (ALP): 430 (21.1%)
Anthony KOUTOUFIDES (IND): 348 (17.0%)
Steph HUNT (LP): 217 (10.6%)
Melanie CASEY (ON): 87 (4.3%)
3
Melanie CASEYPauline Hanson's One Nation
2,624
Steph HUNT (LP): 1,024 (39.0%)
Anthony KOUTOUFIDES (IND): 920 (35.1%)
Sarah WITTY (ALP): 545 (20.8%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 135 (5.1%)
4
Anthony KOUTOUFIDESIndependent
5,244
Steph HUNT (LP): 2,367 (45.1%)
Sarah WITTY (ALP): 1,622 (30.9%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 1,255 (23.9%)
5
Steph HUNTLiberal
23,023
Sarah WITTY (ALP): 18,253 (79.3%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 4,770 (20.7%)
Votes after every count
Melbourne 2025: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Adam BANDTThe Greens
38,457
38,665
39,625
39,760
41,015
45,785
Sarah WITTYAustralian Labor Party · elected
30,541
30,813
31,243
31,788
33,410
51,663
Steph HUNTLiberal
19,267
19,415
19,632
20,656
23,023
–
Anthony KOUTOUFIDESIndependent
3,204
3,976
4,324
5,244
–
–
Melanie CASEYPauline Hanson's One Nation
2,438
2,537
2,624
–
–
–
Helen HUANGFUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation
1,926
2,042
–
–
–
–
Tim SMITHIndependent
1,615
–
–
–
–
–
2022 Federal election
Adam BANDT (The Greens) won Melbourne in 2022 with 58,050 of the 96,506 votes in the final count, beating Keir PATERSON (Australian Labor Party) by 19,594 votes (60.2% to 39.8%). Bandt led on first preferences with 49.6% of 96,506 formal votes and passed the 48,254-vote majority at count 3.
96,506 formal votes9 candidates7 counts19,594-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 96,506 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, Walter STRAGAN (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 937 votes were distributed: 335 (35.8%) to Justin BORG; 241 (25.7%) to Richard PEPPARD; 102 (10.9%) to James DAMCHES; 85 (9.1%) to Bruce POON and 4 more.
On count 2, Scott ROBSON (Independent) was excluded; their 1,167 votes were distributed: 269 (23.1%) to Adam BANDT; 189 (16.2%) to Richard PEPPARD; 173 (14.8%) to Keir PATERSON; 154 (13.2%) to Bruce POON and 3 more.
On count 3, Bruce POON (Animal Justice Party) was excluded; their 1,555 votes were distributed: 691 (44.4%) to Adam BANDT; 365 (23.5%) to Colleen BOLGER; 197 (12.7%) to Keir PATERSON; 122 (7.8%) to James DAMCHES and 2 more.
On count 4, Richard PEPPARD (Liberal Democrats) was excluded; their 2,107 votes were distributed: 985 (46.7%) to Justin BORG; 659 (31.3%) to James DAMCHES; 188 (8.9%) to Adam BANDT; 165 (7.8%) to Keir PATERSON and 1 more.
On count 5, Justin BORG (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 3,272 votes were distributed: 1,387 (42.4%) to James DAMCHES; 847 (25.9%) to Colleen BOLGER; 678 (20.7%) to Keir PATERSON; 360 (11.0%) to Adam BANDT.
On count 6, Colleen BOLGER (Victorian Socialists) was excluded; their 4,599 votes were distributed: 3,310 (72.0%) to Adam BANDT; 662 (14.4%) to James DAMCHES; 627 (13.6%) to Keir PATERSON.
On count 7, James DAMCHES (Liberal) was excluded; their 17,733 votes were distributed: 12,419 (70.0%) to Keir PATERSON; 5,314 (30.0%) to Adam BANDT.
Finally, Adam BANDT (The Greens) won with 58,050 votes to 38,456 for Keir PATERSON (Australian Labor Party).
Where the preferences went
Melbourne 2022: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Walter STRAGANPauline Hanson's One Nation
937
Justin BORG (UAPP): 335 (35.8%)
Richard PEPPARD (LDP): 241 (25.7%)
James DAMCHES (LP): 102 (10.9%)
Bruce POON (AJP): 85 (9.1%)
Scott ROBSON (IND): 73 (7.8%)
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 42 (4.5%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 35 (3.7%)
Colleen BOLGER (VNS): 24 (2.6%)
2
Scott ROBSONIndependent
1,167
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 269 (23.1%)
Richard PEPPARD (LDP): 189 (16.2%)
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 173 (14.8%)
Bruce POON (AJP): 154 (13.2%)
Justin BORG (UAPP): 144 (12.3%)
James DAMCHES (LP): 141 (12.1%)
Colleen BOLGER (VNS): 97 (8.3%)
3
Bruce POONAnimal Justice Party
1,555
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 691 (44.4%)
Colleen BOLGER (VNS): 365 (23.5%)
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 197 (12.7%)
James DAMCHES (LP): 122 (7.8%)
Justin BORG (UAPP): 99 (6.4%)
Richard PEPPARD (LDP): 81 (5.2%)
4
Richard PEPPARDLiberal Democrats
2,107
Justin BORG (UAPP): 985 (46.7%)
James DAMCHES (LP): 659 (31.3%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 188 (8.9%)
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 165 (7.8%)
Colleen BOLGER (VNS): 110 (5.2%)
5
Justin BORGUnited Australia Party
3,272
James DAMCHES (LP): 1,387 (42.4%)
Colleen BOLGER (VNS): 847 (25.9%)
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 678 (20.7%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 360 (11.0%)
6
Colleen BOLGERVictorian Socialists
4,599
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 3,310 (72.0%)
James DAMCHES (LP): 662 (14.4%)
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 627 (13.6%)
7
James DAMCHESLiberal
17,733
Keir PATERSON (ALP): 12,419 (70.0%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 5,314 (30.0%)
Votes after every count
Melbourne 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
Count 7
Adam BANDTThe Greens · elected
47,883
47,918
48,187
48,878
49,066
49,426
52,736
58,050
Keir PATERSONAustralian Labor Party
24,155
24,197
24,370
24,567
24,732
25,410
26,037
38,456
James DAMCHESLiberal
14,660
14,762
14,903
15,025
15,684
17,071
17,733
–
Colleen BOLGERVictorian Socialists
3,156
3,180
3,277
3,642
3,752
4,599
–
–
Justin BORGUnited Australia Party
1,709
2,044
2,188
2,287
3,272
–
–
–
Richard PEPPARDLiberal Democrats
1,596
1,837
2,026
2,107
–
–
–
–
Bruce POONAnimal Justice Party
1,316
1,401
1,555
–
–
–
–
–
Scott ROBSONIndependent
1,094
1,167
–
–
–
–
–
–
Walter STRAGANPauline Hanson's One Nation
937
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2019 Federal election
Adam BANDT (The Greens (VIC)) won Melbourne in 2019 with 66,852 of the 93,064 votes in the final count, beating Lauren SHERSON (Liberal) by 40,640 votes (71.8% to 28.2%). Bandt led on first preferences with 49.3% of 93,064 formal votes and passed the 46,533-vote majority at count 3.
93,064 formal votes7 candidates5 counts40,640-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 93,064 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, Tony PECORA (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 1,079 votes were distributed: 424 (39.3%) to Lauren SHERSON; 174 (16.1%) to Luke CREASEY; 140 (13.0%) to Dave BLAKE; 130 (12.0%) to Judy RYAN and 2 more.
On count 2, Dave BLAKE (Independent) was excluded; their 1,294 votes were distributed: 385 (29.8%) to Lauren SHERSON; 302 (23.3%) to Judy RYAN; 285 (22.0%) to Adam BANDT; 185 (14.3%) to Lawrence POPE and 1 more.
On count 3, Lawrence POPE (Animal Justice Party) was excluded; their 2,134 votes were distributed: 1,101 (51.6%) to Adam BANDT; 461 (21.6%) to Judy RYAN; 314 (14.7%) to Lauren SHERSON; 258 (12.1%) to Luke CREASEY.
On count 4, Judy RYAN (Reason Australia) was excluded; their 5,649 votes were distributed: 3,729 (66.0%) to Adam BANDT; 1,012 (17.9%) to Luke CREASEY; 908 (16.1%) to Lauren SHERSON.
On count 5, Luke CREASEY (Australian Labor Party) was excluded; their 19,952 votes were distributed: 15,750 (78.9%) to Adam BANDT; 4,202 (21.1%) to Lauren SHERSON.
Finally, Adam BANDT (The Greens (VIC)) won with 66,852 votes to 26,212 for Lauren SHERSON (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Melbourne 2019: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Tony PECORAUnited Australia Party
1,079
Lauren SHERSON (LP): 424 (39.3%)
Luke CREASEY (ALP): 174 (16.1%)
Dave BLAKE (IND): 140 (13.0%)
Judy RYAN (REAS): 130 (12.0%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 111 (10.3%)
Lawrence POPE (AJP): 100 (9.3%)
2
Dave BLAKEIndependent
1,294
Lauren SHERSON (LP): 385 (29.8%)
Judy RYAN (REAS): 302 (23.3%)
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 285 (22.0%)
Lawrence POPE (AJP): 185 (14.3%)
Luke CREASEY (ALP): 137 (10.6%)
3
Lawrence POPEAnimal Justice Party
2,134
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 1,101 (51.6%)
Judy RYAN (REAS): 461 (21.6%)
Lauren SHERSON (LP): 314 (14.7%)
Luke CREASEY (ALP): 258 (12.1%)
4
Judy RYANReason Australia
5,649
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 3,729 (66.0%)
Luke CREASEY (ALP): 1,012 (17.9%)
Lauren SHERSON (LP): 908 (16.1%)
5
Luke CREASEYAustralian Labor Party
19,952
Adam BANDT (GVIC): 15,750 (78.9%)
Lauren SHERSON (LP): 4,202 (21.1%)
Votes after every count
Melbourne 2019: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Adam BANDTThe Greens (VIC) · elected
45,876
45,987
46,272
47,373
51,102
66,852
Lauren SHERSONLiberal
19,979
20,403
20,788
21,102
22,010
26,212
Luke CREASEYAustralian Labor Party
18,371
18,545
18,682
18,940
19,952
–
Judy RYANReason Australia
4,756
4,886
5,188
5,649
–
–
Lawrence POPEAnimal Justice Party
1,849
1,949
2,134
–
–
–
Dave BLAKEIndependent
1,154
1,294
–
–
–
–
Tony PECORAUnited Australia Party
1,079
–
–
–
–
–
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.
