How to Vote

The 2026 Special Local Government Election will be conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) as a postal election.

Voting in Western Australian local government elections is voluntary; however, every eligible elector is encouraged to participate.

Voting closes at 6.00pm on Thursday, 3 December 2026.

Your postal voting package

Eligible electors will automatically receive a postal voting package approximately two to three weeks before election day.

Your package will include:

  • the ballot paper or ballot papers you are entitled to complete
  • voting instructions
  • candidate information
  • an elector declaration; and
  • a reply-paid return envelope.

Delivery times may differ between electors. Return your completed package as soon as possible after receiving it.

Optional preferential voting

Western Australian local government elections use optional preferential voting.

Place the number 1 beside the candidate who is your first choice. You can then choose to:

  • vote for one candidate by placing a 1 beside their name
  • vote for some candidates by numbering them in your preferred order; or
  • vote for all candidates by numbering all candidates in your preferred order.

You do not have to number every candidate.

If you provide additional preferences, use consecutive numbers—2, 3, 4 and so on—without repeating a number. Follow the instructions included with each ballot paper.

How votes are counted

Counting depends on the number of vacancies being filled.

For elections with one vacancy, such as the Shire President election, a candidate must receive a majority of the formal votes remaining in the count. If no candidate has a majority of first preferences, the lowest-ranked candidate is excluded and preferences are transferred.

For elections with multiple vacancies, such as the Town Ward Councillor election, candidates are elected by reaching a quota. Preferences may be transferred as candidates are elected or excluded until all vacancies are filled.

Learn more about optional preferential voting

Return your vote

Your completed voting package must be received by the Returning Officer by 6.00pm on Thursday, 3 December 2026. The deadline relates to when your package is received—not when it is posted.

Return it by post as early as possible. If there is not enough time for your package to arrive by post, you can hand-deliver it to an authorised election location.

Authorised locations and opening hours in Carnarvon and Coral Bay will be published once confirmed by WAEC.

Lost, damaged or missing packages

If your postal voting package is lost, damaged or does not arrive, you may be able to obtain a replacement package.

Replacement-package locations, opening hours and the Returning Officer’s contact details will be published closer to election day.

Need help?

For general election enquiries, contact the Shire of Carnarvon on (08) 9941 0000 or shire@carnarvon.wa.gov.au.

Return to the 2026 Special Local Government Election page