Early voting (in person)
The Commission understands that not everyone can vote on polling day for a number of different reasons. Various options for voting before election day are available to eligible electors, but are subject to the strict timeline outlined by electoral laws.
Early voting was available for the 2025 WA State election on 8 March from Monday 24 February to Friday 7 March.
Early polling place figure reports for the 2025 WA State election
Daily figure reports of how many early votes were taken at each early polling location are available on our website here.
Eligibility to vote early
Under amendments to the Electoral Act 1907 introduced in 2016, anyone who is eligible to vote in a State election may apply for an early vote at a polling place open on an early voting day, or by applying for a postal vote or a phone assisted vote (for those that qualify).
Voting by post at every election
In some circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for registration as a general early voter. This means that ballot papers are automatically sent to you (by post) after an election has been announced and ballot papers have been printed.
An elector can apply to be registered as a general postal voter if the elector:
- lives more than 20 kilometres by the nearest practicable route from the nearest polling place
- is a patient in a hospital or similar institution
- due to serious personal illness is physically unable to travel to a polling place
- is caring for a person who is seriously ill or infirm
- is aged 70 years or over
- is registered as an overseas elector
- is registered as a silent elector or
- is an elector who because of religious beliefs, or membership of a religious order is precluded from attending a polling place for all or most of the hours of polling.
Register online or download a form to become a general postal voter (external link)
Phone assisted voting
Phone assisted voting is available to eligible electors and is done by using the telephone keypad and automated interactive voice response technology. This is a secure form of voting and electors are only identified by a secret PIN and Voting ID, to ensure the anonymity of the voter.
Phone assisted voting was available in the 2025 State Election for eligible electors.
Mobile and remote polling
Mobile polling
During an election, election workers visit select hospitals and institutions such as nursing homes, aged care facilities, retirement homes and prisons to provide electors the opportunity to vote without having to leave their premises. Mobile polling is only available to residents or patients at these facilities. Staff and visitors can vote early at an early polling place, or at a polling place on polling day.
Remote polling
Remote polling teams visit remote communities that are located a considerable distance from normal polling places to allow people at these locations to vote.
On election day
You can vote at any polling place on election day from 8am to 6pm.
Enrol and vote at a polling place
Enrol-on-the-day voting allows you to enrol at a polling place and cast a declaration vote.
You’ll need identification such as a Medicare card, passport, citizenship number or driver’s licence to complete your enrolment. If you’re found to be eligible for enrolment, your vote will go into the count. If you are considering enrol-on-the-day voting, please allow extra time when you visit a polling place to complete the process.
Overseas and interstate voting
If you are overseas or interstate during a State election, and on the electoral roll in WA, in-person Interstate and Overseas voting is available during the early voting period.
Local government elections
Most local government elections conducted by the Commission are postal elections, and packages will usually arrive approximately two weeks before polling day.