BLF

Branch Election

Returning officer D. Driscoll, Report to Queensland Branch General Meeting on 24 October 1961.

Queensland Branch papers, Fryer Library, University of Queensland, QUFL MS 166.

On August 29^th I was appointed with two scrutineers to conduct the ballot of the union. On the 4^th day of September after the closing of the nominations I went to the Union office and took charge of all nomination papers a total of 25. I found all but one in order. I then got from the Office a list of all financial members and went to the GPO in Queen Street and saw the Superintendent of Mails to make an application for a box and a box number to a payable-on-delivery envelope. After all formality, I was then sent to see the officer-in-charge of the Valley Post Office. Here I was given a bag which I locked and took charge of the key. I then went to the printer and gave an order for ballot papers to be printed. I was told they would be ready at 9 a. m. on 6^th September. I then had letters sent to the scrutineers to meet me at the Union office at 8.45 a. m. on 6^th September.

We then went to the printers and took possession of the ballot papers and went back to the Union Building to the hall upstairs and after checking a full list of all financial members we checked same and marked each ballot paper and put one in each addressed envelope. After all was completed we then put all unused ballot papers, envelopes and papers into a locked box and sealed same and put same in a safe place in the Office. I and the two scrutineers then took all letters to the Valley Post Office where they were taken in charge of. I later on had the office write to the scrutineers asking them to meet me at the Union office at 9 a. m. on the 3^rd October.

We then went to the Valley Post Office, the officer in charge gave me the locked bag and we counted the letters after receiving a bill for postage and then went to the hall to start the count. After the count was finished and checked and rechecked I and the scrutineers signed the tally sheets and put all ballot papers in a locked box and put them in the office.

Mister President, before I announce the ballot I would like to thank the two scrutineers for their very good work, they did a wonderful job. I would also like, on behalf of the scrutineers and myself, to thank the ladies in the office for their kindness to us in supplying morning and afternoon teas, they also did a wonderful job.

UQFL

Annual election on a direct vote of the financial members. Loughnan always topped the polls and the incumbents were streets ahead of newcomers. For instance, in 1926, Loughnan scored 614, Marriner 564 and Mooney 539. The next in line took only 140 votes. The advantages of incumbency, without needing to rig the ballots. Known around The jobs and could collect the ballot papers.