Elections

Find out about local government elections, voting and how to nominate as a candidate.

Local Government Elections 2025

Local government ordinary elections are held on the third Saturday in October every two years. The next state-wide ordinary elections are scheduled for 18 October 2025.

Elections are held every two years for half of the Council.  The Shire President and Councillors are elected for a term of four years. 

Following recent legislative changes candidates will be elected using an optional preferential voting system. The Shire President is directly elected by the public and the Deputy Shire President elected from within Council. 

Find out about our Current Councillors.

Key dates

• Election Day: Saturday 18 October 2025 
• Enrolment Closes: 5pm, Thursday 22 August 2025 
• Nominations Open: Thursday 28 August 2025 
• Nominations Close: 4pm, Thursday 4 September 2025

Enrol to vote

Who can vote?

You can vote in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s local government elections if you:

• Are 18 years or older
• Are an Australian citizen (or eligible British subject)
• Are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll for a residential address in the Shire

Types of voters

Residents

• If you live in the Shire and are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll, you’re automatically included on the local government roll.
• Non-resident owners and occupiers
• If you own or lease property in the Shire but live elsewhere, you can apply to be added to the roll as an owner or occupier. This includes individuals and businesses.
• Body corporates
• A company or organisation that owns or leases property in the Shire can nominate up to two people to vote on its behalf.

How to enrol

Visit elections.wa.gov.au/enrol-vote to:

• Check your enrolment
• Update your details
• Enrol for the first time

Voting methods

This election will be conducted by postal vote. Ballot packages will be mailed in September.

Nominate for council

Why become a councillor?

Councillors play a vital role in shaping the future of our community. They:

• Represent the interests of residents and ratepayers
• Provide strategic leadership
• Advocate for community needs
• Make decisions on local services, planning and infrastructure

We encourage nominations from people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, ages and genders.

Eligibility

To nominate you must:

• Be 18+ and an elector of the district
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act
• Complete the mandatory online induction via the Department of Local Government

Nomination requirements

Submit the following to the Returning Officer:

• Completed nomination form (via Nomination Builder)
• Candidate profile (max 1000 characters)
• Optional photo (passport-style, recent)
• $100 deposit
• Signed declaration (witnessed)
• Optional written statement (up to 2,000 characters) for website publication

Note for Candidates: Please ensure your profile and optional statement are clear, factual and respectful. The Returning Officer may request amendments if content does not meet legal or ethical standards.

Disclosure of gifts and donations

What must be disclosed?

Candidates and donors must disclose any gift or donation valued at $300 or more (or promised) that is intended to support a campaign.

This includes:

• Money
• Goods or services
• Travel or accommodation
• Crowdfunding contributions

What is exempt?

• Gifts from relatives
• Volunteer labour
• Items not related to the campaign

Disclosure process

• Disclose gifts to the Shire CEO within 3 days of nomination
• Continue disclosing within 3 days of receiving any new gift
• Donors must also submit disclosures
• Anonymous or foreign donations over $2,600 are prohibited and must be surrendered to the CEO

Thinking of running for council?

Candidate Information Session - Local

• Date: Wednesday 20 August 2025
• Time: 5.00pm – 5.45pm
• Location: Council Chambers, Margaret River

No registration required.

This session will provide an overview of the role of a Councillor, the nomination process and what to expect if elected.

Candidate Information Webinar - Statewide

Hosted by: WALGA, DLGIRS, and the WA Electoral Commission

• Date: Monday 18 August 2025
• Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
• Location: Online via Zoom

Speakers include: Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA, Karen Chappel AM JP, and others

This free session will cover:

• Election processes
• Responsibilities of Council Members
• Regulatory roles and expectations

Register now: WALGA Candidate Webinar Registration

Contact: [email protected] or (08) 9213 2514

Frequently asked questions

Can I vote if I own property but don’t live in the Shire?

Yes. If you are enrolled to vote in State or Federal elections for your residential address outside the Shire, and you own or lease rateable property within the Shire, you may be eligible to vote as an owner or occupier elector. You’ll need to submit an eligibility claim to the Shire.

For full eligibility details and requirements, visit the WA Electoral Commission website or refer to the Owners and Occupiers Enrolment Eligibility Guidelines.

What happens if I don’t receive my ballot paper?

Contact the WA Electoral Commission or the Shire’s Governance team.

Can I campaign on social media?

Yes, but all material must include authorisation details and comply with WAEC rule 

How to vote

In Western Australia, voting in Local Government elections is not compulsory, however all those eligible are strongly encouraged to vote.

Those eligible will be posted a voting package which includes ballot papers and voting instructions. Electors may then vote from home and post the completed ballot paper.  The completed ballot paper must be received before 6.00pm on polling day. If your postal ballot cannot be returned by post in time, you can deliver it to a polling place by hand.

How to enrol/check your enrolment details

Visit the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) website to:

• Enrol
• Check your enrolment

Note, if you have registered with the WAEC for a property you occupy in the Shire, you are automatically entitled to vote in the Local Government elections. A voting package will be posted to you. 

Non-resident owners or occupiers of rateable property within the Shire are also entitled to vote. Please complete and submit the form below:

How to nominate as a candidate

Eligible voters who wish to run as a candidate for Council at their local government election must nominate and be registered as a voter in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Find out how to become a Councillor.

More information and contact

For more information about local government elections, visit the WA Electoral Commission website.