Local government elections in Western Australia will take place on Saturday 18 October 2025.
Local government elections are usually conducted by post, however a small number of local councils request to hold an in-person election. Local councils who will be holding an in-person election will be available here at the end of July.
Key dates
Enrolment – Check, update or enrol to vote by 5pm 22 August
Nominations Open – 28 August 2025
Close of nominations - 4pm 4 September 2025
Postal elections – Elections packages (including ballot papers, candidate information and how-to-vote information) will be sent out in September 2025
In person elections - Vote in person on election day, vote early or apply for a postal vote from your local government (councils holding an in-person election will be available here at the end of July)
Enrol to vote
All eligible electors must enrol to vote. When you enrol to vote, you are enrolled for Commonwealth, State and local government elections. You can check your enrolment online.
You can –
This is important if you have:
- moved house
- changed your name
- turned 18 recently
- become an Australian citizen
- not yet joined the electoral roll or
- want to check or update your enrolment details
How to vote
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 several candidates in the order of your preference
- vote for all candidates - in the order of your preference
Who can vote
• 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. You must make sure you are correctly enrolled, and your details are up to date by 5pm 22 August to vote in the Local government elections.
• Owners and Occupiers
People who own or occupy rateable 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.
Quick links
Work with us for the Local government elections
Postal election timeline
In person election timeline
Candidate nomination information