Enrol to vote in the 2023 local government election on 21 October. 

Who can vote?

One of the most important factors that determines if you are eligible to vote at local government elections is whether you are registered on the state electoral roll for property within the Town of Port Hedland.

Here’s who can vote in the 2023 local government elections. You must be enrolled by 5:00pm, Friday 25 August.

  • Residents

All residents in a local government district who are enrolled on the State electoral roll are automatically enrolled on the corresponding local government roll.

  • Owners and Occupiers

People who own or occupy property within a local government district, can apply to their local government to be included on the roll as an owner/occupier, as long as they are eligible electors. A body corporate may apply to have up to two eligible electors to be included on the owner/occupier roll.

You can check your enrolment details at the Western Australian Electoral Commission website.

Enrol to vote

Residents Roll

All eligible electors must enrol to vote. When you enrol to vote, you are enrolled for Commonwealth, State and local government elections. You can check your enrolment online.

You can –

This is important if you have:

  • moved house
  • changed your name
  • turned 18 recently
  • become an Australian citizen
  • not yet joined the electoral roll or
  • want to check or update your enrolment details

 

Owners and Occupiers Roll -

If you own or occupy rateable property in a local government area but are not on the State electoral roll for the ward or district for which you are claiming entitlement, you can apply to the relevant local government to be on the Owners and Occupiers Roll, provided that you meet other eligibility requirements.

A body corporate may apply to have up to two eligible electors to be included on the Owners and Occupiers Roll.

Learn more about Owners and Occupiers Roll 

Election changes for 2023

Optional preferential voting

In 2023, local government elections in WA will move to optional preferential voting. It is similar to how voting is done in State and Federal elections. 

Under the optional preferential voting system, voters number candidates in the order of their preference. You don’t have to number all the boxes if you don’t want to.

You have the choice to –

  • vote for one candidate - by putting a 1 next to their name
  • vote for some candidates - by numbering several candidates in the order of your preference
  • vote for all candidates - in the order of your preference 

Learn more about preferential voting.

Further information

For more information about Council elections please visit the Election page on the Town of Port Hedland website.

For all general election enquiries please contact the Town at governance@porthedland.wa.gov.au or by calling (08) 9158 9300 and asking to speak to a Governance Officer.