Voting
Voting in a local government election is not compulsory in Western Australia. However, all local electors are strongly encouraged to vote.
First past the post
Local government elections are conducted using the ‘first past the post’ system. This means the result of an election is determined by simply counting the number of votes received by each candidate and the candidates with the most votes win until all vacancies are filled.
Where there is a single vacancy, the candidate with the most votes will be elected; where there is more than one vacancy, candidates will be elected in order according to the number of votes received by each.
In-person and postal voting
Where an in-person election is held, electors may apply for a postal vote, absentee vote or an early vote if they are not able to go to a polling booth on election day.
Returning officers
The conduct of each local election is managed by a returning officer.
The Electoral Commissioner appoints returning officers for postal elections and in-person elections conducted by the WAEC. A list of these returning officers is available on the WAEC website.
If the local government decides to conduct the election, the Chief Executive Officer of the local government is the returning officer, unless the local government decides to appoint another person to perform the function..
For these elections, please contact the relevant local government for more information.
Extraordinary elections
If the office of an elected council member, mayor or president becomes vacant due to the death or resignation of a member, or another reason listed in the Act, an Extraordinary election must be held within four months of the vacancy occurring.
The filling of extraordinary vacancies that occur after the third Saturday in January and up until the third Saturday in July in an election year can be deferred if approved by the electoral commissioner under the Act.
Other elections
The Act provides for elections to be held in certain circumstances, such as:
- a restructure of districts or wards
- the reinstatement of a council following suspension
- all offices become vacant
- a council is dismissed.
Public notices
Public notice of local elections are published in accordance with the requirements of the Act. The notices provide details about enrolling to vote, nominating to be a candidate in the elections, the ways in which a vote can be cast and the date of the election.