How to vote

Voting in local government elections is not mandatory, but your participation actively shapes our community's future!

Voting packages

The Electoral Commission will post voting packages in late September 2023 that include:

• Ballot papers for Shire President and Councillor 
• an envelope for the ballot papers
• a return paid envelope
• a brochure from the electoral commission detailing how to vote.

Returning your voting package

You can return your completed ballot papers in person or via post.   All completed ballot papers must be received by 6pm on Saturday 21 October. 

Early voting options

1. Return via post 
   NOTE If you choose to return your ballot papers by post using the reply-paid envelope, ensure they are posted in time to be received at the processing centre by 6pm Saturday 21 October 
2. In person at a Shire office
   • Margaret River Shire Office
     During opening hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm)
   • Augusta Shire Office
     During opening hours (Tuesday – Thursday, 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm)
     The office will also be open the day before elections on Friday 20 October from 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm.

Voting on the day 

On election day, Saturday 21 October, voters can submit their completed ballot papers at the Margaret River Shire Offices at 41 Wallcliffe Road only, between 8am-6pm.

Eligibility to vote

To be eligible to vote, you must be:

• Over 18
• An Australian citizen (or a British subject who was on the Roll between 26 October 1983 and 25 January 1984)
• Enrolled to vote (registered on the Electoral Roll).
• Non-resident owners or occupiers of rateable property within the Shire are also entitled to vote.

Not sure about your enrolment status? 

You can check your enrolment online. 

If you haven't enrolled yet, it's important to note that the cut-off was the 25 of August 2023. You can still enrol for future elections, but you won't qualify for this year's local government elections. Learn more about how to enrol.

More information and contact

For questions around how to complete your ballot contact the Returning Officer, Brian Warbey on 0474 702 651 or the Western Australian Electoral Commission on 13 63 06.