ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥

Elections

About Geraldton Council Elections

The ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ Council currently comprises a Mayor elected by the electors and 10 councillors, including the Deputy Mayor (total 11).

After the Local Government Elections in 2025, the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ Council will reduce to one Mayor and 8 councillors, including Deputy Mayor (total 9). 

Local Government Ordinary Elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October. The next election will be held on 18 October 2025 

Ratepayers and residents of the City are entitled to vote in local government elections.

Local governments make many decisions that affect the local community and by voting at local elections, ratepayers and residents can contribute to effective local government by having a voice in determining who will represent them in making those decisions.

[Back to top]

Nominations for Council

Information on running for Council is available on the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety website - .

Further details are available at (WAEC).

To nominate as a candidate for a local government election, the candidate must complete the and make a valid nomination application.

A valid nomination consists of:

• a completed nomination form.

• a candidate profile - written in English - not more than 1000 characters with spaces (excluding your name and contact details)

• a deposit of $100

You may also provide a written statement for publication on the local governments website of no more than 2000 characters, inclusive of spaces.

All nomination applications must be signed by the candidate in front of a witness.

The nomination application must be presented to the Returning Officer at a pre-arranged appointment before 4.00pm on the 4 September 2025, the day of close of nominations.

The WA Electoral Commission has provided a to assist you with in creating your nomination.

A copy of WA Electoral Commission Candidate Information Guide can be found here.

Returning officer, Michelle Harvey, is the first point of contact if you require more information on nominating, she can be contacted via telephone on 0484 288 412.

[Back to top]

Candidate Sessions

The ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ held Candidate Information Sessions to provide insight and information into the roles and responsibilities of Council and Councillors.

The first session was held in the Civic Centre on Monday 18 August, with presentation by the Chief Executive Officer and live streaming of WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Webinar.

Another session was held at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation.

View a copy of the presentation by the Chief Executive Officer by clicking here

[Back to top]

Nomination Appointments

Nominations open on Thursday 28 August 2025 and close on Thursday 4 September 2025 at 4pm.

The Returning Officer will be available for appointments at the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ Civic Centre on Cathedral Avenue to receive nominations during the following times:

Please contact Returning Officer Michelle Harvey on 0484 288 412 to arrange an appointment or to discuss alternative arrangement.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Returning Officer before nominating to discuss requirements.

As the Returning Officer may ask candidates to amend their nomination, it is recommended that candidates ensure they have allowed sufficient time to finalise any required changes before the close of nominations.

[Back to top]

Election Campaigning

Candidates must be aware of what to expect as an elected member and the rules related to campaigning.

Full information relating to rights and obligations for candidates can be found at

Offences

There are several offences set out in the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) that you need to be aware of, some of which are as follows.

It is an offence to:

• bribe or exert undue influence to get someone else to commit an electoral offence;
• print, publish or distribute deceptive material about others;
• not disclose to the CEO of a local government, an election gift received in the relevant period;
• publish unfair or inaccurate information derived from an electoral gift register;
• make false statements in your nomination;
• canvass voters, solicit the vote of an elector, or induce an elector not to vote for a particular candidate or not to vote at the election, within 6 metres of the polling place, unless the presiding officer or returning officer relaxes this requirement;
• forge, deface or destroy a ballot paper;
• fraudulently put a ballot paper into a ballot box;
• interfere with any ballot box or ballot paper;
• assume the identity of an elector;
• supply a ballot paper or mark a ballot paper without authority;
• communicate with, assist or interfere with an elector while the elector is marking a ballot paper from a postal voting package;
• apply undue influence or pressure on an elector to apply for a postal vote, interfere with an elector while the elector is applying for a postal vote or take custody (or cause any other person who is not the elector to take custody) of an envelope in which there is a postal vote (these offences specifically relate to candidates, or a person expressly authorised to act on behalf of candidates such as a scrutineer);
• not include the name and address of the person authorising electoral (campaign) material to be printed along with the name and business address of the printer.

Preparing for the election & planning your campaign

To begin organising a campaign, a candidate needs information about the electorate. You may also refer to the Office of Multicultural Interests’ , to better understand the demographics, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds of Western Australians, including profiles of all WA electoral divisions and local government area.

As a candidate you will want to become familiar with the election processes and with your local government’s existing policies, activities, and latest initiatives because many questions are likely to be asked about these matters. For example, you could have a look at your local government’s strategic plan, policy register, budgets, and minutes.

It is worth remembering that voting in local government elections is voluntary. Before you can convince people to vote for you, you must first motivate them to vote.

When organising a campaign, 3 key points need to be remembered:

1. Voting is voluntary, and people are more likely to vote if they believe that you can achieve something for the district.
2. Local government is locally based and personalised, so a campaign should reflect this.
3. You may need assistants.

There are many methods of campaigning, including:

• telephoning people you know;
• distributing leaflets and pamphlets;
• doorknocking;
• contacting local organisations;
• meeting people in public areas like shopping centres;
• preparing articles for local newspapers;
• paying for press advertisements;
• providing a profile of your background to the local paper;
• building a social media presence;
• addressing public meetings; and
• giving interviews to local radio stations.

Campaign material needs to be authorised for use in an election campaign. To appropriately authorise campaign material, you must include the name and street address (not a post office box) of the person who authorised the material to be printed. Usually, though not always, that will be you. You also need to include the name and business address of the printer (this includes someone who photocopies election material for you).

Posters are also a useful way to publicise that you are standing for council. In general, posters are only allowed to be placed on private property. You can find the City's policy on election signage at Council Policy 4.23 Election Signs.

Disclosure of Gifts 

Candidates must disclose information about any election related gift with a value of $300 or more that was given or promised within the 6-month period prior to the relevant election day.

The reporting period for the 2025 elections commenced on 18 April 2025. 

A ‘gift’ includes:

• money
• non-monetary item of value
• in kind or where there is inadequate financial consideration, such as the receipt of a discount (where the difference or the discount is worth more than $300)
• a financial or other contribution to travel
• the provision of a service for no consideration or for inadequate consideration
• a firm promise or agreement to give a gift at some future time.

To disclose the receipt of electoral gift, please complete the Disclosure of Gift Form.

You may find further information about legislative requirement on the Disclosure of Gifts Regulations.

All gifts disclosed during the election period are registered on the Electoral Gifts Register.

[Back to top]

Voting Method

Elections are conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission as a postal ballot.

Election packages are posted to all electors enrolled on the City's combined electoral roll approximately two weeks before election day. Each person enrolled to vote will be issued a ballot package by mail which will provide details and instructions on how to vote.

Completed packages must be received by the Western Australian Electoral Commission by 6.00pm on Election Day.

Completed ballot packages can also be hand delivered to the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ Administration Building, Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton, until 6pm 18 October 2025. Mullewa District Office, corner Thomas and Padbury Street, Mullewa, can receive ballot papers during business hours, until 5pm 13 October 2025.

[Back to top]

Who is Eligible to Vote?

To be able to vote in the local government election, a person must be a resident of the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥, a non-resident owner or a non-resident occupier of rateable property. For additional information see

Resident

A resident is anyone enrolled on the State electoral roll for a residence in the electorate. A resident will automatically be included on any electoral roll supplied to the relevant local government for that electorate by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. The Residents Roll is maintained by the Western Australian Electoral Commission and enquiries may be made directly to the Commission via telephone on 136 306.

Non-Resident Owners

To be eligible to vote a non-resident owner must:

• be eligible to vote in a State or Federal Election
• be an owner as per the definitions and requirements in the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) and Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997

and the property that the claim is made against must be rateable.

The definition of "owner" in the Act is:

• the holder of an estate of freehold
• the holder of an interest via contract with the Crown (State)
• the holder of the right to acquire or purchase in fee simple
• a crown lease holder (or tenant) which the terms of the lease provides they are required to pay rates
• a trustee, executor, administrator, attorney, or agent of a holder
• the holder of a licensee to take profit of Crown land
• the holder of certain tenements under the Mining Act 1978 and the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967

An owner remains on the roll until the property is sold or in the case of owner nominees, either until the property is sold or the corporate body changes its nominees.

Non-Resident Occupiers

To be eligible to vote an occupier must:

• be eligible to vote in a State or Federal Election
• be an occupier of the property as per the definitions and requirements in the Act and the Election Regulations.

and the property must be rateable.

The occupier must hold a right of occupation for 12 months prior to making a claim and have occupation which will last for at least 3 months following the claim.

Requirements for a person to be enrolled as an occupier include:

• they must have quiet enjoyment (exclusive occupation) of their occupied property
• they must be able to secure their occupied property from intruders
• they must genuinely operate or intent to operate their business from that property
• they must lease at least 10m² of property, subject to a series of exclusions
• they must pay a minimum   amount of rent for the property

Non-resident occupiers and occupier nominees remain on the roll as per below 

Non-Resident Owners/Occupiers - Not on the State or Commonwealth Government Electoral roll

(Not Australian Citizens)

Persons who were on the local government electoral roll prior to the commencement of the Local Government Act 1995 may claim eligibility to vote if they:

• were enrolled for the last local government election before 1 July 1996
• have continuously owned or occupied rateable property in the same district for all those years
• have not obtained Australian citizenship since that election (and therefore are not able to enrol by another means)

Co-Owners and Co-Occupiers

The Local Government Act provides generally for two people that own a property to have a vote each. However some property ownership arrangements mean that a property can be co- owned or co -occupied by a group of people. Section 4.31(1E) and (1F) of the Local Government Act 1995 states that:

• If more than 2 people own rateable property in conjunction with each other, the owners are whichever 2 of those people who, being eligible to vote in a State or Federal election, are nominated as occupiers by all or a majority of those people (1E)
• If more than 2 people occupy rateable property in conjunction with each other, the occupiers are whichever 2 of those people who, being eligible to vote in a State or Federal election, are nominated as occupiers by all or a majority of those people (1F)

How do I Enrol to Vote?

Resident

If you are not on the State electoral roll and meet the eligibility criteria to enrol please visit the enrolment page of the website. From this site you can download an enrolment form or enrol online.

Non-Resident Owners/Occupiers

If the non-resident owner/occupier of rateable property in the district is enrolled on the State electoral roll as living outside the District enrolment is not automatic.

Applications for inclusion on the local government roll as an owner /occupier are to be made on the appropriate ‘Enrolment Eligibility Claim’ form:

RA08a - Owner or Co Owner

RA08b - Occupier or Co Occupier

RA08c - Nomination by group of Owners/ Occupiers

RA08d- Nomination by Body Corporate

Forms are to be completed and to be lodged with the City's Rates Revenue Team:

In Person: 63 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton

Mail: ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥, PO Box 101, Geraldton WA 6531

Email: ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥

To be able to vote at the election the application must reach and be accepted by the CEO no later than 5.00pm, 22 August 2025.

If the application is rejected the applicant will be advised in writing.

[Back to top]

Frequently asked questions about Local Government Elections

Does the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ have electoral wards?

No, the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ has no wards.

Can I vote for the Mayor?

Yes, the Mayor of the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ is currently elected by ordinary election at the end of the term of office. The next Mayoral vote will be held in 2027. 

Is voting at local government elections compulsory?

Voting in Local Government Elections is not compulsory, however, it is encouraged that you do participate to have your say on who represents the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥.

Where can I vote?

The ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ election is conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission as a postal ballot.  A voting package which consists of the ballot paper and Candidate profiles is posted to each elector. Packages will be lodged by the WA Electoral Commission with Australia Post, commencing starting Friday 12 September 2025 – this allows plenty of time to vote and return the completed ballot paper in the envelope provided.

A ballot box will also be provided from the day ballot papers are sent out to electors until 6pm on election day at the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ Administration Building, 63 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton, and at the Mullewa District office, cnr Thomas and Padbury Street, Mullewa, from the day ballot papers are issued until five days prior to the election.

The ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ Administration Building is open on election day, 18 October 2025, so that electors may return completed ballot papers in person (for example if the elector forgot to post their completed ballot papers in time).

When do candidates nominate to stand for election?

The nomination period opens on the 28 August 2025, and closes on the 4 September 2025, at 4.00pm.

Who is the Returning Officer?

The Returning Officer, for the ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥, will be advised prior to the election.

When is local government election day and when does the election close?

The local government election day is held throughout Western Australia on the third Saturday in October every second year. The next local government election will be held on 18 October 2025.

I own two properties. Why do I only get one vote?

An individual may only appear once on the Electoral roll, regardless of the number of properties which they own or occupy. Please follow this link to see if you need to complete an Enrolment Eligibility Claim Form.

[Back to top]