Local Government Elections

Local governments make many decisions that affect your community and it is vital that your views are taken into consideration. By voting at local elections, you can contribute to effective local government. If you don't vote, you have no say in determining the person who represents you when making decisions in areas like local planning and development, recreation space and the upkeep of your community.

Voting at a local government election provides you with an opportunity to elect a person you believe can make the best contribution to your community by being a Mayor or Councillor in your area.

An ordinary local government election was held on Saturday 17 October 2009; however, due to a late resignation in the Kalgan Ward, an extra ordinary election is proposed to be conducted on Thursday 25 February 2010.

The term of office for this position will expire in October 2011.

Ratepayers and residents of the City of Albany are entitled to vote in local government elections. You might need information about your voting entitlements if you:

• Live in Albany and recently turned 18
• Own a business that owns or leases a property in Albany
• Own or lease a property in a ward other than the one in which you live
• Live outside Albany but own property and pay rates in the City of Albany

For details of your voting entitlements and information on how to enrol, visit the WA Electoral Commission website through the link at the bottom of this page.

The City of Albany runs each election by postal vote. All postal elections are managed by the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC), which appoints a Returning Officer for each election.

Ordinary and extraordinary elections use the first past the post method of voting.

For more information on local government elections, please contact the Department of Local Government (DLG) or the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) by clicking on the one of the links below.