Reforms to local government act released for public consultation

Today, the Government has released details of reforms to the Local Government Act 1995.

Of interest to those who follow elections, the reforms include direct election of mayors in the larger local governments, the introduction of preferential voting and rules outlining the number of elected members on any given council - based on the local government population.

Additionally, rules will be tightened to ensure only legitimate businesses or residents are eligible to vote or run for council.

City of Joondalup Local Government Elections - Issue: Compilation of Postal Packages

The Western Australian Electoral Commission has investigated reports that a small number of postal voting packages delivered to City of Joondalup electors, particularly in the South West and North Central Wards, have included compilation errors. In some instances, either the Mayoral or Councillor ballot paper is missing, while in others there are two of one type of ballot paper and none of the other.

Alleged theft of postal vote packages - Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale

On Wednesday 29 September 2021, the WA Electoral Commission was advised by the WA Police that they had apprehended two individuals allegedly stealing local government postal vote packages from letter boxes in the Byford area, within the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

The Western Australian Electoral Commission is working with the WA Police on this matter but given it is under police investigation, the Commission will make no comment concerning those allegedly involved.