Council Elections

Local government ordinary elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October. 

Councillors are elected for four year terms, with half of the Councillors terms concluding at each biennial election.

The Mayor of the City is elected by the Councillors from amongst themselves.  The Western Australian Electoral Commission conducts the City's elections. Every elector of the district, over 18 years of age, is eligible to vote. 

2021 City of Busselton Council Elections 

When

The 2021 elections will be held on Saturday 16 October.

As per previous years, the Council has appointed the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) to run its elections and the WAEC appoints a Returning Officer who oversees the election, including taking candidate nominations and supervising the count on election night.

The details of the City of Busselton’s Returning Officer for the 2021 Local Government Elections will be updated on this page as soon as an appointment has been made by the WAEC.

Counting of ballots will be conducted in the City Administration Building, from approximately 5pm on election night.

Vacant Positions

This year the City has four vacancies and both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions are up for re-election. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are appointed by the Councillors rather than by the public.

Candidates and Nominations

The first day for Candidates to lodge a completed nomination form is Thursday 2 September and nominations close at 4pm Thursday 9 September.

Candidate Information Sessions

To enable prospective candidates to gain more information on becoming an Elected Member, and how to stand for Council, the City will be holding a prospective candidate information session in August 2021. The exact date and time is yet to be confirmed however, further details will be available closer to the date and will be updated here.  

Voting Eligibility

Full details about voting eligibility can be found below under Voting in Elections. 

Useful Links

Department of Local Government – Elections

Western Australian Electoral Commission – 13 63 06

Voting in Elections

The State Electoral Roll

The State Electoral Roll is maintained by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. People who reside in the City of Busselton and are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll for the City of Busselton will automatically appear on this roll.

Enrolment forms for the State Electoral Roll are available from all post offices, all Australian Electoral Commission Offices or the Western Australian Electoral Commission website.

The Owners and Occupiers Roll

The Owners and Occupiers Roll is for individuals who own a rateable property located in the City of Busselton or are nominated by a Body Corporate that owns or occupies rateable property in the City of Busselton. To be eligible, your name must be on the State or Commonwealth Electoral Roll for a district other than the City of Busselton.

Enrolment forms for the Owners and Occupiers Roll can be found here: Form 2: Enrolment Eligibility Claim Form.

In order to vote in Local Government Elections individuals must be enrolled on either the State Electoral Roll or the Owners and Occupiers Roll.

Individuals will only be recorded on one of the above Rolls, not both.

Check if You're Enrolled 

If you need to check whether they are enrolled on the State Roll for the City of Busselton can do so by visiting the Western Australian Electoral Commission website.

Previous Elections