Unique Voting Processes Around the World

March 30, 2024

India, one of the world's largest democracies, uses electronic voting machines (EVMs) extensively. These machines are designed to minimize electoral fraud and provide a faster counting process. They are widely deployed across the country during elections.

India's Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)

Australia employs a preferential voting system for its federal elections, known as the "alternative vote" or "ranked-choice voting." Voters rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot. 

Australia's Preferential Voting

Switzerland practices direct democracy, where citizens regularly vote on various issues, not just for representatives. Through referendums and initiatives, Swiss citizens have a direct say in policymaking. 

Switzerland's Direct Democracy

Brazil utilizes electronic voting machines equipped with biometric technology to ensure secure and accurate voting. Voters must authenticate their identity through fingerprint recognition before casting their ballots. 

Brazil's Electronic Biometric Voting

Papua New Guinea employs a unique limited preferential voting system for its national elections. Voters rank their top three candidates, and if no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the second and third preferences until a candidate achieves a majority.

Papua New Guinea's Limited Preferential Voting

In Iran's electoral process, candidates for various offices, including the presidency and parliament, undergo vetting by the Guardian Council, a body composed of clerics and jurists. 

Iran's Guardian Council Vetting

The United States employs an Electoral College system for electing its president. In this system, voters do not directly elect the president but instead vote for electors who then cast their votes for president and vice president.

USA's Electoral College