Local Government Elections - FAQ

Local Government Elections

Local Government elections occur every two years, and are generally held on the third Saturday in October. 

Voting in a Local Government election is not compulsory in Western Australia, however, all electors are strongly encouraged to vote. 

There are two types of local government elections - postal elections and voting in person elections. At a postal election, electors are sent an election package which includes the ballot papers and may then vote at home and post the completed papers. At a voting in person election, electors may vote early or by post but most choose to vote in person on election day at a polling place within the district.

Postal election

All eligible electors will receive a postal voting package around three weeks prior to polling day. The package will include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote and a declaration. To vote, follow the instructions included in the package. Your postal voting package must be received before 6.00pm on polling day. If you do not think that your postal voting package can be returned by post in time, you can deliver it by hand to a polling official.

Voting in person election

On polling day, electors go to designated polling places to cast their vote. Polling places are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm. If an elector can’t attend a polling place on polling day, they can apply for an absent, early or postal vote. 

If you wish to apply to receive a postal vote for an in-person election, you must complete the below form:

• Form 12 - Application for Postal Vote

Residents - Already enrolled to vote

If you live within the Town of Port Hedland's boundaries, and you are already enrolled as an elector on the Commonwealth or State Electoral Roll for your residential address, you will automatically be enrolled for Local Government elections. 

If you have recently moved house or changed your name, you will need to update your details. 

Visit the WAEC website to:

• Check your enrolment
• Update your enrolment

Residents - Not enrolled to vote

If you are a resident of the Town and not already enrolled to vote, you must make a claim for enrolment with the Australian Electoral Commission.

You can:

• Enrol Online
• Collect an enrolment form from any post office and return it to the Australian Electoral Commission. 

Owner/ Occupier Electoral Roll

The Owner/ Occupier electoral roll contains approved applicants who either:

• Own property within the Town's boundaries, but reside elsewhere;
• Have been nominated by a body corporate to vote on behalf of a property within the Town's boundaries; or
• Occupy property within the Town's boundaries.

You must apply to be on the Town's Owner/ Occupier electoral roll and have it accepted by the Town. 

Owners 

If you own property within the Town's boundaries but reside elsewhere, you may be eligible to be added to the Town's Owner/ Occupier electoral roll, provided you meet the following criteria:

• You are enrolled as an elector on the State or Commonwealth electoral roll for a residence outside the Town
• You own property within the Town's boundaries
• You complete an 'Enrolment Eligibility Claim Form' and have it accepted by the Town for future elections

Joint Owners 

Where a rateable property is owned by more than two people, a majority of the owners may nominate a maximum of two persons from amongst themselves to be added to the Town's Owner/ Occupier roll, provided they meet the following criteria:

• The nominated applicants are enrolled as an elector on the State or Commonwealth electoral roll 
• The property is within the Town's boundaries
• The nominated applicants complete an 'Enrolment Eligibility Claim Form' and have it accepted by the Town for future elections

Corporations

A body corporate, which owns rateable property, may nominate a maximum of two persons to be added to the Town's Owner/ Occupier roll, provided they meet the following criteria:

• The nominated applicants are enrolled as an elector on the State or Commonwealth electoral roll 
• The property is within the Town's boundaries
• The nominated applicants complete an 'Enrolment Eligibility Claim Form' and have it accepted by the Town for future elections

Occupiers

If you occupy (lease) a property within the Town's boundaries, but are enrolled to vote for a property elsewhere, you may be eligible to be added to the Town's Owner/ Occupier electoral roll, provided you meet the following criteria:

• You are enrolled as an elector on the State or Commonwealth electoral roll for a residence outside the Town
• You occupy/lease property within the Town's boundaries
• You complete an 'Enrolment Eligibility Claim Form' and have it accepted by the Town for future elections

Expiry of Applications

If you have successfully been added to the Town's Owner/ Occupier roll as an owner or nominee of a body corporate, you will remain on the roll until you or the corporation no longer own the property.

If you have successfully been added to the Town's Owner/ Occupier roll as an occupier, your application will expire 6 months after the holding of the second ordinary election after your claim was accepted, and you must re-apply to be added to the roll. 

How can I check that I am on the roll?

Commonwealth or State Roll

To check if you are on the Commonwealth or State electoral roll, visit the below websites:

• Commonwealth Roll - Australian Electoral Commission
• WA State Roll - Western Australian Electoral Commission

Owner/ Occupier Roll

To check if you are on the Town's Owner/ Occupier electoral roll, please contact Tammy Wombwell on (08) 9158 9327 or twombwell@porthedland.wa.gov.au.