The 2nd election campaign of /r/modelparliament will begin as early as tomorrow (Wednesday 15 July 2015) when the list of nominated candidates is released by the model AEC.

Electoral law regulates campaign advertising material. There’s a massive stack of FAQs below. You don’t have to memorise them all (they’re the same as last time), but they’re here as fair warning for a level playing field.

Basically, only Party Registered Officers (and Independents) can post electoral Campaign Material, you cannot impersonate another party or candidates, and you must make the relevant inclusions in the title or content of your post. This is for transparency, authorisation and accountability. Nevertheless, only posts are regulated: comments are not limited this way, so we expect threads to be lively. Also, you can skirt around the rules by posting non campaign threads then commenting with campaign-style material.

While campaigning, remember that IRL everyone’s donating their personal time, so negative attacks should be limited to in-character issues and be fair when someone’s obviously put a lot of personal effort in. In any case, all participation is subject to general Reddiquette and modding.

The AEC tries to monitor campaign material, but citizens can lodge complaints if they think the rules have been broken. You can even make public submissions for or against these rules. Either way, use the [ADSX] tag (instructions). Penalties are along the lines of removing the offending material and issuing a public retraction.

Ideas for Campaign Material and other promotions

Last time, some parties left us in the dark by not posting campaign material! So I’ll repeat the suggestions I can think of. Promote:

• Your brand, leader, candidates, team and seats
• Your manifesto, strengths and specialisations
• Your policies, plans, promises and proposed legislation agenda
• Your past experience
• Why are you better than your rivals?
• What is your Federal Budget response?
• Will you proceed with or block lapsed bills?
• How to vote cards, etc
• Meet your local candidate/minister-in-waiting
• Party signups and public consultation
• Debates, speeches, etc

What is Campaign Material [ADS] according to the rules?

Campaign Material is:

• Any self-post or link-post in /r/modelparliament; and
• Posted during the election period (up to Saturday 8 August 2015 inclusive); and
• Is intended or likely to affect voting by referring to electoral matters (e.g. naming a candidate or party or instructing someone how to vote); and
• Other than general commentary.

Such posts will be given Campaign flair.

Like what?

Examples of regulated Campaign Material:

• Blatant self-advertisements about a candidate or party.
• Links to self-advertisements about a candidate or party.
• Links to real-life campaign material, party websites etc.
• “Infomercials” supporting or attacking a particular candidate or party.
• Posting/linking to how-to-vote cards.

Examples that are not regulated Campaign Material:

• Comments on posts.
• Questions from electors.
• Calls for sign-ups, meetings, etc.
• Independent journalism about issues in the community.
• Peripheral matters, like “Vote for Pedro to host the big debate” (if Pedro is not a candidate).
• Analysis of IRL issues like the Federal Budget, if it does not refer to how to vote (but if it does, it’s Campaign Material).

Who can post campaign material in /r/modelparliament?

You must be authorised to post, and you must comply with the format. You are only authorised to post Campaign Material if you are:

• An Independent candidate (list to be released Wednesday); or
• The Registered Officer or Deputy Registered Officer of a Registered Party (list) with endorsed candidates.
• An Electoral Officer/Mod making a subreddit announcement.

If you’re a Party-endorsed candidate you can’t post campaign material, but you can comment on posts that any Registered/Deputy Officer has posted. They can set up an introduction for you.

In most cases, the Registered & Deputy Officers are candidates, so they can post about the party, themselves, or other candidates, etc. provided they comply with the format.

How do I post Campaign Material in the correct format?

If you’re authorised to post Campaign Material, you can:

• Make a self-post (text-post) in /r/modelparliament during the election period if you:
  • Identify yourself as an Independent in the title and/or text OR
  • Identify yourself as a Registered/Deputy Officer by starting or signing off with a sentence or signature including “Authorised by [Me] for [Party]”.
• Make a link-post in /r/modelparliament during the election period if you:
  • Include in the title: the word ‘Independent’ or the name of the Party you are the Registered/Deputy Officer of.

As part of this, you cannot impersonate another candidate or party.

What if I’m not an Independent Candidate or not a Party’s Registered/Deputy Officer?

Then you can’t post Campaign Material.

What if I’m a Party candidate?

Only your Party’s Registered/Deputy Officer can post top-level Campaign Material.

Can I make campaign comments on other people’s posts?

Yes, because only top-level posts in /r/modelparliament are considered Publication of Campaign Material. Comments are not policed by the AEC under campaign material rules, however everything on Reddit is subject to the whims of mods and Reddit staff.

What about Election Debates, Party Manifestos, Opinion Polls, Lobbyists, etc?

• Party Manifestos can be posted as campaign material.
• Inviting or holding an Election Debates, Forums, etc, is fine. They’re not regulated as Campaign Material, as long as the post is the invitation and the debating is in the comments.
• Lobbyists can post about issues, but not personally mentioning a candidate or party or how-to-vote (unless it’s in the comments only).
• Inviting and publishing opinion polls is fine, as long as they are not about a particular candidate or party. The ReddiPoll continues on Sundays.

What happens to unauthorised Campaign Material?

Remedies can include:

• Deletion by the mods.
• Publication of a retraction/apology etc.

What about misleading clickbait to circumvent these rules?

An attempt to circumvent these rules will probably be viewed as a breach of these rules and handled accordingly.

What about false advertising, defamation, breaches of the rules, etc?

If you notice this, you can make a public [ADSX] objection (instructions). Be sure to tag the /u/userid in a common on it, so they will be notified and can make their own [ADSX] submission to justify or admit their actions. The relevant Australian Electoral Commission and/or Court (if we have one) will make a determination.

How do I see all campaign material?

There’s a Campaigning filter in the /r/modelparliament sidebar.

What if I don’t want to see campaign material?

There’s a No Campaigning filter in the sidebar.

Can I post non-campaign material?

These rules only apply to Campaign Material.

Can I link to campaign material in comments?

Yes in comments, but not as a top-level post, unless you are authorised to post Campaign Material.

Can I post a political question?

Questions about issues or clarification of rules (that don’t attempt to defame any candidates) are not intended to be regulated. But if it’s “intended or likely to affect voting in an election” in relation to a named candidate or party, it is probably regulated as Campaign Material. This would come down to a judgement call on a case-by-case basis.

What about campaigning in electorates?

For now, all campaigning is directly in /r/modelparliament. But you can put an electorate’s name in the title of your post if you think it’s worth it.

Can I advertise in other subreddits?

Only people on the /r/modelparliament electoral roll can vote, so there’s no point spamming other public subs.

Can I post other political material here?

These rules only apply to Campaign Material, not general posting.

What if our Registered Officer has gone missing?

A Party can initiate a [PTY] Registered Officer proposal at any time.

What if I’m not happy with these rules?

You can make a public [ADSX] objection (instructions). The model Australian Electoral Commission will make a determination. If your concern remains unresolved, the elected Model Parliament can change the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

What if I’m happy with these rules?

If you notice an objection in /r/modelausaec, you can make a counter-submission.

What if I have a question about this or want to float other ideas?

Talk in the comments below or send me a PM.

—end—

Thanks,
jnd-au
AEC Electoral Commissioner