The Australian Electoral Commission will mount an intensive voter education blitz ahead of the Farrer byelection, warning a “congested” information environment and rising misinformation could undermine confidence in Australia’s preferential voting system. The move comes amid a spike in informal voting in parts of the country and a political push from minor parties and conservatives to overhaul how preferences are allocated. NSW – where preferential voting is optional at a state level – recorded the highest informality rate at the last federal election, at 8.06 per cent – a slight increase on the previous poll. The seat of Farrer, which includes regional towns and cities including Albury, Deniliquin and Griffith, sat even higher at 9.03 per cent. Officials fear the byelection could mean that figure climbs further if a crowded field produces an unwieldy ballot paper.…