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The next Ordinary Local Government Election will be held on Saturday 18th October 2025.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

The Local Government Reform Bill 2023 passed through Parliament on 11 May 2023 delivering tranche 1 of the proposed local government reforms.

The City of Albany advised the Minister for Local Government in December 2022 that its Council was taking the voluntary pathway to reform, including a reduction in the number of elected members.

Phase 1 of the reduction in elected members took place at the 2023 Ordinary Local Government Election, with a reduction in vacancies from six to four.

At the 2025 Ordinary Local Government Election there will be a further reduction in vacancies from six to four. Following the 2025 election, the City of Albany Council will be made up of a popularly elected Mayor and eight elected members.

The City will be holding two information sessions for prospective candidates on Monday 18/08/2025 and Wednesday 20/08/2025, commencing at 5.30pm in the Civic Rooms at 102 North Road, Yakamia.  

The WAEC Returning Officer will provide information on the electoral process and your responsibilities as a candidate including electoral material, signage and electoral gifts.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions related to the electoral process. Mayor Stocks, Deputy Mayor Terry and former Mayor Dennis Wellington will be in attendance to talk about their experience in serving their community as an elected member.

Councillors play an important community leadership role.

Becoming a councillor is a big decision and it is important that you are aware of what your obligations and commitments will be if you are elected.

Nominations open on 28 August 2025 and close at 4.00pm on 04 September 2025. Appointments to nominate can be made by contact the WAEC Returning Officer. It is recommended that candidates who wish to lodge their nomination on the final day of the nomination period do so by appointment.

Additional information for candidates can be found on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.

In order to be eligible to nominate as a candidate in this election, you must:

Enquiries related to the election may be directed to [email protected] or telephone 6820 3076.

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

Voting in local government elections is not compulsory, however it is strongly encouraged. This is your opportunity to have a say about who represents you on council. 

The electoral roll closes on Friday 22 August 2025. To vote, you must be on the electoral roll before rolls close. Check or update your enrolment details online.

Postal elections 

For postal elections, postal election packages (ballots) will be lodged with Australia Post from 12 September 2025.  

Completed ballots must be returned to the WA Electoral Commission by 6pm on election day. Ballots received after this time won’t be counted. If it’s too late to post, you can hand deliver your election package to the City of Albany Administration Building located at 102 North Road Yakamia.

If you’ve misplaced or damaged your postal election package, visit the City of Albany for a replacement package. Don’t forget to bring your ID.  

WHO CAN VOTE?

Enrol or update your enrolment

To vote, you must be on the electoral roll before rolls close on 22/08/2025. Enrol to vote or update your enrolment details online.

Who can vote?

Anyone who is enrolled to vote for the local government district or ward that’s holding the extraordinary election is eligible to vote. This includes the following electors:  

  • 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.  

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 district for which you are claiming entitlement, you can apply to the City of Albany 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.

Do I have to vote? 

Voting is not compulsory however it is strongly encouraged. Voting means you have a say in who represents you on council.

Changes to voting in local government elections

Optional preferential voting  

Local government elections in WA now use ‘optional preferential voting’, instead of ‘first past the post’ voting. Optional preferential voting 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.

Information for candidates

Thinking about running for local council? The links below include important information about what’s involved in becoming a local government candidate. 

Information for candidates - forms, guides, contacts, etc.

© 2025 City of Albany