Local government elections play an important role in our democratic system and are an excellent opportunity for people to contribute to, and be involved in, their local community.
Local government elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October. In Western Australia, Councillors are elected for terms of four years, with elections held every two years for half of the council. If a vacancy occurs within a term, an extraordinary election may be held to fill the place.
During previous elections, we have engaged the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) to conduct the local government election to ensure is it managed independently and with impartiality. The WAEC appoints a Returning Officer to oversee the election, with this person taking candidate nominations, receiving votes and supervising the count on election night.
Nominations are open for a period of eight days and must be received by the Returning Officer by 4.00pm on the day of close of nominations, which is 44 days before election day. If the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies, the candidate is elected unopposed. If there are more candidates than vacancies, the election will proceed.
The voting method for local government elections is optional preferential voting (OPV), with elections conducted by either in person voting or through postal voting. Votes must be received by the Returning Officer by 6.00pm on polling day in order to be counted.
Results are made available on the WAEC website as soon as possible after the close of polls, and official notice is also given as soon as practicable following the election.
The City of Melville has 12 Councillors and a Mayor who represent six wards across the City. At each election, six councillors (half of council) are elected for terms of four years. The Mayor is elected every four years (every second election) in what is called a Mayoral election.
Residents
Eligible electors are residents of the City who are able to vote in Commonwealth elections and are listed on the State and Commonwealth electoral rolls as to 5.00pm Friday, 29 August 2025. If you are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll, you are automatically enrolled on the corresponding Local Government Roll. To check your enrolment, visit the WAEC website. Enrolments and changes to enrolments close 57 days prior to polling day.
Non-Resident Single Owners
These are people who own property within the City of Melville and rent/lease it out (do not live at the property). To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2 (linked below) must be completed. Once they have enrolled, they will continue to be enrolled until they no longer own the property.
Non-Resident Single Occupiers
These are people who are not residents of the City of Melville (the City) and do not own property within the City, but may occupy a property (e.g. leasing a commercial property) To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2A (linked below) must be completed. Additionally, evidence of their right of occupation will need to be included in the application. They will need to re-enroll every 2 elections. We strongly encourage these people to contact us to check their enrolment status.
Non-Resident Joint Owners
These are more than two people who own a property within the City of Melville and rent/lease it out (do not live at the property). To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2 & Form 2B (linked below) must be completed. Once they have enrolled, they will continue to be enrolled until they no longer own the property.
Non-Resident Joint Occupiers
These are more than two people who are not residents of the City of Melville (the City) and do not own property within the City, but may occupy a property (e.g. leasing a commercial property). To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2A & Form 2B (linked below) must be completed. Additionally, evidence of their right of occupation will need to be included in the application. These people will need to re-nominate and re-enroll every 2 elections. We strongly encourage these people to contact us to check their enrolment status.
Body Corporate Owners
These are are business or association who owns property within the City of Melville. The body corporate owners can nominate up to two people to enrol to vote on behalf of their body corporate. To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2 & Form 2C (linked below) must be completed. Once they have enrolled, they will continue to be enrolled until they no longer own the property.
Body Corporate Occupiers
These are are business or association who does not own a property within the City of Melville but may occupy one (through a lease etc.). The body corporate owners can nominate up to two people to enrol to vote on behalf of their body corporate. To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2A & Form 2C (linked below) must be completed. These people will need to re-nominate and re-enroll every 2 elections. We strongly encourage these people to contact us to check their enrolment status.
Eligibility Claim Forms
Eligibility claims must be lodged on a form approved by the the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). Copies of the relevant forms are available on their website, and linked below.
Councillors and Mayors are elected representatives of the community who work together as an elected body to make decisions that shape the future of our City. They should represent the interests of their electors, ratepayers and residents.
Becoming a councillor is a big decision with many obligations and commitments. To help candidates understand what their role as Councillor will be if they are successful, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries provides valuable information on their website.
All candidates are required to complete a compulsory online induction prior to submitting their nomination. Access the module on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries' website. We also recommend that you attend our Candidate Information Session (date to be advised leading up to the election).
To nominate as a candidate, visit the WAEC website to access the nomination form and complete and submit it to the Returning Officer (TBA) during the nomination period.
We opt to use postal voting and postal voting packages have been mailed to all eligible electors on the local government electoral roll. Packages include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote, a declaration and a reply paid envelope.
Make sure to post in your vote as soon as possible - no later than Wednesday the week of the election - to ensure it will be received by the Returning Officer by 6.00pm on election day. Votes must be received by this time in order to be counted.
If you miss the postal deadline, you can hand-deliver your vote to our Civic Centre by 6.00pm on election day. There will be a ballot box in the foyer. There is no absent voting in postal elections. You can only hand-deliver your vote during opening hours.
If you lose your postal package, or you didn’t receive it, you can request a replacement package. Please download and complete LG 15 - Application for Replacement Postal Voting Papers and bring it to our Civic Centre during opening hours to receive a replacement package. Alternatively, visit our Civic Centre during opening hours and you can pick-up and complete the form on-the-spot.
Ward Boundaries Map
See the Ward Boundaries on our The Role of Your Councillors page.
Election results can be found on the WAEC website.