In an Australian referendum to change the Constitution, a 'double majority' is required for the proposal to succeed. This involves achieving a majority of 'Yes' votes nationally as well as a majority of 'Yes' votes in at least four of the six states. In this process, how are the votes of residents in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory handled in relation to the 'double majority' requirement?
- Their votes are counted toward the national majority only and do not contribute to the 'majority of states' requirement.Answer
- BTheir votes are combined into a single 'territory unit' that counts as a seventh state toward the 'majority of states' requirement.
- CTheir votes are excluded from both the national count and the state count to ensure only state residents decide on constitutional changes.
Answer
The votes from the territories are counted in the national majority but are not counted toward the majority of states requirement.
The correct answer accurately reflects that while territory residents are part of the Australian electorate and their votes help determine the national majority, the Australian Constitution requires a majority in at least four of the six states. Territories are not states and therefore do not count toward this specific state-based threshold.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The specific mechanics of the Double Majority requirement regarding Territories.
Hints
1
Think about the two different 'buckets' votes fall into: the whole country and the individual states.
2
Recall that there are only six states in Australia. For a referendum to pass, four of those six must say 'Yes'.
3
Territory residents vote just like state residents, but because they don't live in a 'State', their votes only contribute to the total national percentage.
Practice More
Review the results of the 1977 referendum which changed how territory votes are counted in the constitutional amendment process.
Estimated Time:1m 30s