Local Government Elections 

About Local Government Elections 

Local Government Elections are held every 2 years on the third Saturday of October. Elected Members are elected for terms of four years in Western Australia. Elections are held every two years for half of the council, and candidates are elected using the first-past-the-post voting system. If a vacancy occurs within a term, an extraordinary election is held. You can go to the Councillours page to see the current terms for each of the Shire of Cuballings Elected members.

The Electoral Commissioner is responsible for conducting all local government postal elections in Western Australia and can also conduct voting in person elections on request under the Local Government Act 1995. By making the Electoral Commissioner responsible for these elections, the local governments concerned ensure that elections are conducted independently and with impartiality.

Information is also available on the WAEC website: https://www.elections.wa.gov.au

The next Shire of Cuballing election will be held in October 2027.

 Enrolling 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 get an Enrolment Eligibility Claim form from any local government office. To be able to vote for an election, your application must reach the Shire office on or before the closing date. All residents in a local government district who are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll are automatically enrolled on the corresponding local government roll. People who own or occupy 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.

Further information can be found at Local Government Enrolment | Western Australian Electoral Commission

A body corporate may apply to have up to two eligible electors to be included on the owner/occupier roll. Those nominated by a company must attach the letter of nomination to the form.

A copy of the enrolement form can be found here 

Below is table that outlines whether or not you are required to enrol to vote in your Local Government Shire

My circumstances are:	Do I have to apply to be on the roll?
You live in the district (or ward) and are on the State Electoral role	No need to apply
You live in the district (or ward) and are not on the State electoral roll	Complete the online enrolement form at aec.gov.au or waec.wa.gov.au prior to 5:00pm on 12th January 2026
You are not an Australian Citizen but were on the local government electoral roll in 1996 and have owned or occupied rateable property in the district continuously since then	Yes - See how to apply below
Your property is rateable and is owned or occupied by more than two people or by a company	Two people only who are not already on the local government roll for the district (or ward) must be selected by a majority of the owners or occupiers or the company. They must be on the State or Commonwealth roll to be eligible. If more than one property is involved the same two people must be nominated for all the properties
You own property that is rateable in the district (or ward), and you are on the State of Commonwealth electoral roll, but you live elsewhere	Yes - See how to apply below
You have a right of occupancy or property in the district (or ward) that is rateable, and you are on the State or Commonwealth electoral roll but live elsewhere	If you have a right of continuous occupation under a lease, tenancy agreement or other legal instrument for at least the next three months following the date you apply you should make an application - See how

Voting in Local Government Elections 

Voting in a local government election is not compulsory in WA. However, all electors are strongly encouraged to vote.

There are two types of local government elections - postal elections and in person elections. At a postal election, electors are sent an election package which includes the ballot papers and may then vote at home and post the completed papers. At a voting in person election, electors may vote early or by post but most choose in person on election day at a polling place within the district.

Postal Elections - All eligible electors will receive a postal voting package two to three weeks prior to polling day, depending on the service delivery of Australia Post. The package will include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote and a declaration. Your postal voting package must be received before 6.00pm on polling day. 

In Person-Voting - On polling day, electors go to designated polling places to cast their vote. Polling places are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm. If an elector can’t attend a polling place on polling day, they can apply for an absent, early or postal vote.

Councillour Nominations 

If you decide to run for council, you would be involved in running an organisation with the responsibility for making decisions that have a major impact on our lifestyle. As a representative of your community, you will find the role enjoyable, challenging and stimulating with involvement in matters as diverse as recreation, libraries, the environment, land use planning, health, roads and many more. Meeting fees and some expenses are paid along with training being provided prior to nomination and further if successfully elected, to equip you to undertake this important role for your community.

Vacancies

There is currently no councillor positions available. The term for vacancies is 19 Months (expires Oct 2027) 

Who can nominate?
Any person who is an Australian Citizen over the age of 18 years who is an elector of the district and is not disqualified under the Local Government Act 1995 may nominate for election to council.

When to Nominate

Nominations dates to be disclosed during an Election year. 

Where to Nominate
At Shire of Cuballing, 22 Campbell Street, Cuballing 6311. Nominations must be on a prescribed form that is available from the council office.  A $100 nomination deposit is required as well as a profile of the candidate consisting of no more than 1,000 characters (including spaces). If unable to personally attend to nominate, an authorised agent can do this on your behalf. You must complete an on line candidate induction prior to nominating. Click Here to complete the Councillor Induction. 
If you wish (but is not compulsory) you can also provide additional supplementary candidate information in text form of up to but no more than 2,000 characters (including spaces). This supplementary candidate information will be displayed alongside your candidate profile on the local government’s website and/or council office noticeboard but will not be included in the election package that is posted to electors with the ballot paper(s).

For more information or a Nomination Package, please contact either Chris Paget or Michelle Atwell at the Shire of Cuballing on 9883 6031.