Sore loser: Zoe Daniel requests recount in Goldstein
After ironically declaring victory early
If you remember the 2020 US election, you’ll remember that denying an election result is supposedly tantamount to treason. Questioning the validity of the vote count is verboten. And, we must not dispute the validity of the electoral process. Unless, of course, a conservative wins. In which case, it is trendy to say it was rigged or the votes were counted in error.
And so it is with Goldstein in 2025. Tim Wilson is ahead by 260 votes and Zoe Daniel behind by the corresponding number.
The AEC has finished counting votes, and has done what is called a “full distribution of preferences”. This involves the laborious process of methodically going through, and distributing, all preferences from all ballots. Indeed, it appears that the AEC has counted the votes four times already, each time, digging deeper into the preferences. Each time, the two party preferred vote changes slightly as preferences are allocated.
However, despite this, Zoe Daniel has called for a recount. A recount would be automatic if the margin were below 100 votes. However, as indicated, the margin is 260 votes and has never fallen below 100 votes.
Zoe Daniel released a statement to the media, stating:
“In light of the very tight margin and several errors being picked up in the portion of the count that was included in the distribution of preferences, leading to unusual fluctuations and large numbers of votes moving to and fro in the final stages of the count, I have … asked the AEC to consider whether a full recount is appropriate,” she said.
“There are also several outstanding questions regarding the broader count, which would be resolved by a recount.
“As always, I will respect the process and await the commission’s decision.”
One wonders whether she fully understands the preference voting system and the fact that the total count can change as preferences are counted.
Tim Wilson responded on twitter:
“The votes have now been counted at least 4 times and Liberal & Teal volunteers have scrutineered the count. Yet the former MP has argued the threshold for an automatic recount should be 140. We have nearly doubled that with a margin of 260.”
“And now the former MP is asking for a full recount. At some point we should respect the professional staff at the [Australian Electoral Commission]. I wish Zoe Daniel, her family & staff well in the next chapter. I hope she finds peace.”
If there were evidence of, or even a reasonable suspicion of, irregularities, a recount would be appropriate. However, there should be a good reason for a recount, taking the total number of vote counts to five. And, that good reason cannot just be that the two party preferred vote changes as preference are counted.
The whole situation simply makes Zoe Daniel look like a sore loser, fighting a lost cause. It would be more edifying to accept a result at this point unless she can clearly establish a reason for it being wrong. But, I am sure that peoples’ views on this will depend on which side of the partisan divide they lie.