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.
City of Melville Elections
The City of Melville has 12 Councillors and a Mayor who represent six wards across the City. At each election, six councillors (half of the council) are elected for a term of four years. The Mayor is elected every four years (every second election) in what is called a Mayoral election.
Enrolling to Vote
Residents of the City of Melville who are listed on the State and Commonwealth Rolls will be automatically enrolled to vote. For owners or occupiers, you may need to submit a form to claim eligibility. See the sections below for a break down on what each means, how to enrol and what forms to use, and any applicable expiry dates.
How to Enrol: 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.
Expiry of Eligibility: Not Applicable.
About: These are people who own property within the City of Melville and rent/lease it out (do not live at the property).
How to Enrol: To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2 (linked below) must be completed.
Expiry of Eligibility: Once they have enrolled, they will continue to be enrolled until they no longer own the property.
About: 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)
How to Enrol: 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.
Expiry of Eligibility: They will need to re-enroll every 2 elections. We strongly encourage these people to contact us to check their enrolment status.
About: 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).
How to Enrol: To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2 and Form 2B (linked below) must be completed.
Expiry of Eligibility: Once they have enrolled, they will continue to be enrolled until they no longer own the property.
About: 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).
How to Enrol: To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2A and Form 2B (linked below) must be completed. Additionally, evidence of their right of occupation will need to be included in the application.
Expiry of Eligbility: 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.
About: 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.
How to Enrol: To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2 and Form 2C (linked below) must be completed.
Expiry of Eligibility: Once they have enrolled, they will continue to be enrolled until they no longer own the property.
About: 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.
How to Enrol: To enrol to vote in a local election, a Form 2A and Form 2C (linked below) must be completed.
Expiry of Eligbility: 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.
Voting in Local Government Elections
We opt to use postal voting and postal voting packages will be 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.
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.
Nominating as a Candidate
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.
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.
Election Results
Election results are published on the WAEC website. View the Saturday, 18 October 2025 results.