A LARGE field of by-election candidates has conjured up some surprising preferences with the release of how-to-vote cards.
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Eleven political aspirants have nominated ahead of the South West Coast by-election with several candidates already publicising their preferred ballot composition.
Country Party candidate Jim Doukas has given his second preference to independent Swampy Marsh while Greens candidate Thomas Campbell has made independent Roy Reekie his second option.
Liberal Party candidate Roma Britnell and National Party candidate Michael Neoh have given one another their second preferences as part of the Coalition deal.
Australian Christians candidate Lillian Len has given her party’s second preference to Mr Doukas and opted for Mrs Britnell in third spot over Mr Neoh.
Six candidates including Mr Reekie are yet to reveal their how-to-vote cards with the Victorian Electoral Commission deadline fast approaching.
Independent candidate Michael McCluskey said he had an objection to how-to-vote cards and would not be engaging in preference deals.
Candidate preferences play a crucial role in the event a candidate does not receive an outright majority.
Former premier Denis Napthine won 57 per cent of the primary vote at last year’s state poll and came close to an outright majority at the 2010 general election, making preferences largely redundant.
Meanwhile in the Polwarth electorate, Greens candidate Joe Miles has given his Liberal Party opponent a surprise preference grading.
The minor party has handed its third preference to Liberal Party candidate Richard Riordan, a strategically important boost in his battle against National Party candidate David O’Brien.
Mr Miles handed his second preference to Sex Party candidate Meredith Doig.
As Polwarth is likely to be a two-party preferred race between the Liberal and National parties, the Greens preferences would play a role in determining the winner if no candidate receives an outright majority.
The Greens received 11 per cent of the Polwarth primary vote at last year’s state election.
Australian Christians candidate Geoff Rogers has given his third preference to Mr O’Brien over Mr Riordan in fourth place.
