Local Government Elections

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.

About 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 may be held to fill the place.

The Shire of Boddington engages 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.

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.

Shire of Boddington Elections

The Shire of Boddington has 7 Councillors including the Shire President. The President is appointed by Council after each Ordinary Election every two years.

In the 2025 election, four Councillor positions are set to become available, with terms to expire on 20 October 2029.

Enrolling to Vote

Residents

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.

Non-Resident Owners and Occupiers

Eligible electors can also be non-resident property owners or occupiers who are eligible to vote in State elections and are listed on the State or Commonwealth Electoral Roll. If you are a non-resident and wish to vote, you must complete an Election Eligibility Claim Form and return it to the Shire.

Owners of land who were on the last Local Government Roll continue to retain that status until they cease to own the rateable property to which the enrolment relates. Occupiers do not have continuous enrolment and should contact the Shire to confirm their enrolment status. To be eligible to enrol as an occupier, there is a requirement to 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 of the application to enrol.

Joint Owners and Occupiers and Corporations

If a rateable property is owned or occupied by more than two people, a majority of the owners/occupiers may nominate two persons from amongst themselves who are on either the State or Commonwealth Electoral Roll, to enrol as owner/occupier electors.

A body corporate that owns or occupies rateable property may nominate two people who are on either the State or Commonwealth Electoral Roll to enrol as owner/occupier electors.

Nominating as a Candidate

Councillors are elected representatives of the community who work together as an elected body to make decisions that shape the future of our Shire. They 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).

Voting in Local Government Elections

The election will be conducted via postal vote. Electors can expect to receive their ballot papers approximately three weeks prior to the election and are encouraged to post back their vote as soon as possible.

If you misplace your ballot paper, you may visit the Shire of Boddington Administration Building to have your voting package reissued.