Some frequently asked questions, answered!
Election FAQs
Does Senator Pocock have a How to Vote card?
David has a ‘how to vote’ card which you can view and download here
Who is the second candidate for Senator Pocock's campaign?
A condition of putting the 'David Pocock' name and logo above the line is to have a second candidate. Seantor Pocock has announced Duty of Care campaigner Hannah Vardy as his 2025 running mate. You can read more about Hannah here.
Why does Senator Pocock have a party if he’s an independent?
Only registered political parties can get a box above the line with their name and logo. It is one of the inequalities built into a system that favours the major parties. It is not an issue in the lower house where independents are listed in the same way as candidates from parties.
David is running as an independent, but had to form a party to get ‘above the line’ on the Senate ballot paper. This is important as at the last federal election the overwhelming majority of people in the ACT voted above the line.
If Senator Pocock didn't form a party, and get above the line, he would have had no chance of being elected.
Who will Senator Pocock be preferencing?
The way preferences work in the Senate changed before the 2016 election so political parties and candidates no longer direct how preferences flow.
Unlike in the days of preference whisperers and last minute political deals, it is now up to every individual voter to decide where they want their preferences to go
So at the upcoming election it is you the voter, not David or any other candidate, who decides which candidates get your preferences.
The best way to make your vote count is to number at least 1 to 6 above the line or 1 to 12 below the line on the Senate ballot paper in the order of who you most want want to see elected
We would obviously love you to put a 1 next to Senator Pocock's name but, if your vote is already decided for another candidate, he encourages you to put him second and think carefully about how you direct your remaining preferences based on who you would like to see elected.
Preferences always play a really crucial role in deciding who wins the second ACT senate spot at the next election.
Who would Senator Pocock support in the event of a hung parliament?
If elected, Senator Pocock won’t get a say on who forms government, that is decided in the House of Representatives not the Senate.
In the event of a hung parliament, it will be the members elected to the crossbench (independents and/or minor parties) in the House of Representatives who decide which of the major parties gets enough support to form government.
Forming government by winning enough support in the House of Representatives does not guarantee that the same party will control the Senate.
Since 2007, the balance of power in the Senate has been held by minor parties and independents and that is likely to continue after the election meaning David could be a key decision maker on whether legislation is passed, amended or rejected in the Senate, as he has been during this term of parliament.
Whether it's a minority or majority government, Senator Pocock will consider each bill on its merits, consult with experts and the community, and be guided by his stated policies developed with the community rather than guarantee his vote to a particular party every time.
Senator Pocock is committed to looking at every piece of policy and making a decision based on how it will affect the ACT and the future of Australia.
Is Senator Pocock part of a Labor/Greens/Independents alliance?
No, Senator Pocock is not part of any alliance, he is running as a true independent candidate, endorsed by a grassroots community organisation proACT, the ‘Voices of’ group in the ACT.
Claims about an “alliance” or being a “fake independent” simply aren’t true.
These accusations are more of the same ‘politics as usual’ attacks people are so tired of.
The claims are an attempt to leverage fear and untruths to stop genuine independent candidates from representing their communities.
Senator Pocock makes his own decisions on policy, in consultation with a well-informed community that includes many of the world’s leading experts on the matters we all need to address. He is accountable solely to the people of the ACT.
I’ve been sent a postal voting form directly from a candidate, is this allowed?
Despite how it looks, this letter did not come from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). It’s designed to appear official, but it’s actually a cynical tactic used by the Liberal Party to collect your personal information.
By filling out and returning the form to them (rather than going directly through the AEC) you’re handing over your personal details to a political party. There’s no transparency about how that data will be used. And there are few rules as the major parties have exempted themselves from the Privacy Act.
The AEC itself has warned that this kind of material from political parties causes “eligibility confusion and privacy concerns.” You can read the AEC's statement here.
Unfortunately, this isn’t new. The major parties have a long history of misleading voters with tactics like this. It’s cynical, it undermines trust in our democracy, and it needs to stop.
Senator Pocock has spoken out strongly against this. The Senator believes in respecting your data, your privacy, and your right to participate in elections without interference. If you’d like to learn more about Senator Pocock's approach to data and privacy, you can read his Privacy Policy here
That’s also why Senator Pocock introduced the Fair and Transparent Elections Bill in the Senate, which along with other electoral reforms proposes to ban this kind of data harvesting for good.
Senator Pocock echos the words of the AEC Commissioner:
“Our message couldn’t be clearer – vote in person if you can, apply for a postal vote through us if you need one.”
If you do need a postal vote, please use the official AEC website and avoid handing your personal information to a political party: https://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/
Has Senator Pocock done any preference deals?
David hasn't done a 'preference deal’ with any other party or candidate.
After changes made by Malcolm Turnbull’s government, it is now up to every individual voter to decide where they direct their preferences. Political parties and candidates can only choose who to put on their how to vote card.
David welcomes other parties and candidates choosing to preference him on their how to vote cards.
David has chosen not to list any other candidates on his how to vote card, but supports the community independent movement across Australia.
This is consistent with his voice as an ACT Independent in the Senate standing up for our community.
Where does Senator Pocock get his campaign money from? Is he funded by Climate200? Why doesn’t he declare donations on his website?
David receives donations through his website. He’s had more than 1000 people make small donations to his 2025 campaign. The campaign follows all requirements under the Commonwealth Electoral Act and will disclose donations over $16,900 in the usual way.
Last election David received funding from Climate 200 but this election is aiming to raise all the funding from direct contributions - he is particularly excited by the number of people in the ACT who support him. At this point in time he has not received any funding or in kind support from C200 for the 2025 election campaign.
David pushed hard to have real time donations of $1000 or more disclosed for this election but the major parties voted for a bill that would only see this happen at the next election and only for donations above $5000.
Do you have information available in languages other than English?
Yes! You can find information about Senator Pocock's 2025 election campaign by clicking on one of the links below to take you to the relevant translation.
Is is there Easy Read information about the campaign available?
Yes!
And you can read and download it here.