in 1986 albert langer wrote a conference paper entitled don't vote, examining possible electoral strategy for the left, aiming to bring down the labor government and to target alp candidates in marginal seats. in 1987 and 1990 there were instances where victorian voters were urged to take advantage of section 270 of the commonwealth electoral act and give less preferred parties equal last preferences (now known as a langer vote), so as not to express a choice for either major party.