Local Government Elections
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 is held to fill the place.
Elections are conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) to ensure elections are conducted 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 4.00 pm on the day of close of nominations, which is 37 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 first-past-the-post, with elections conducted in Exmouth through postal voting. Votes must be received by the Returning Officer by 6.00 pm on polling day in order to be counted.
2022 Extraordinary Election
The next extraordinary local government election will be held on Friday 22 July 2022.
The Shire of Exmouth also provides an information booklet "Thinking of Becoming a Councillor?" to guide prospective candidates through the nomination process and educate them about their responsibilities as a Council Member. It also encourages prospective candidates to reach out to info@exmouth.wa.gov.au | mhead@exmouth.wa.gov.au to clarify the nomination process and responsibilities of a Councillor.
2019 Election Results
797 Ballot Papers Entered - 792 Formal Ballot Papers - 5 Informal Ballot Papers
46.77% of eligible voters in Exmouth used the chance to cast their vote and take part in our community's future development.
2021 Election Results
796 Ballot Papers Entered - 790 Formal Ballot Papers - 6 Informal Ballot Papers
46.93% of eligible voters in Exmouth used the chance to cast their vote and take part in our community's future development.
Western Australian Electoral Commission - Notice of Election Results
2022 Election Results
619 Ballot Papers Entered - 614 Formal Ballot Papers - 5 Informal Ballot Papers
Western Australian Electoral Commission - Notice of Election Results
Want to know more?
For further information on Local Government Elections and Candidate Nomination Information please visit the below websites:
Western Australian Electoral Commission - Local Government Elections
Department of Local Government and Communities - Elections