Voting
Voting in local government elections in Western Australia is not compulsory.
Eligible voters in a district ward are entitled to one vote in an ordinary local government election for Elected Member-candidates; and one vote for a Mayor-candidate in a Mayoral election.
Optional Preferential Voting
Optional preferential voting is the voting system used in Local government elections. This means you have the choice to number the candidates in the order of your preference. You do not 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 some candidates in the order of your preference
- vote for all candidates – in the order of your preference
Voting Options
When voting in local government elections, you have the below options:
- Postal Voting
The Western Australian Electoral Commission will post voting packages to all eligible electors prior to polling day. These are typically sent out 2-3 weeks prior to election day. Arrival in letterboxes will depend on Australia Post delivery service times.
The package will include candidate profiles, ballot paper(s), instructions on how to vote, a declaration that must be signed by the elector and a reply paid envelope. To vote, follow the instructions included in the package.
The Returning Officer, who conducts Town of Mosman Park local government elections, must receive your fully completed voting package before 6pm on the polling day. If you do not think that your postal voting package can be returned by post in time, you can deliver it by hand to the Town’s Administration Building before 6pm on polling day.
- Voting in person
Whilst the local government elections voting method is by post, on election day the Administration building at the Town of Mosman Park will still be open from 8.00am until 6.00pm day to re-issue election voting packs, if these have been misplaced or were not received in the post.