While not compulsory, all electors are strongly encouraged to vote.
The City of Busselton holds postal elections conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission.
How do I vote?
If you are enrolled, you will receive a voting pack in the post around three weeks before election day.
You can vote as soon as you receive your voting pack by:
- post using the reply-paid envelope provided, or
- in person at the:
- City of Busselton Administration Centre, 2 Southern Drive, BUSSELTON – any day during business hours or on election day 18 October 2025 between 8am – 6pm
- Dunsborough Library, Dunsborough Lakes Drive, DUNSBOROUGH - any day during business hours BEFORE 12noon Friday 17 October 2025
If you plan to post your vote, please allow enough time for it to be received before election day.
I haven't received my voting pack
If you haven’t received your pack within 2 weeks of the election day, please email city@busselton.wa.gov.au to find out how to request a replacement package.
How are votes counted?
In 2023, local government elections in WA moved to optional preferential voting (OPV). It's similar to how voting is done in State and Federal elections.
Under the optional preferential voting system, voters number candidates in the order of their preference. You don’t have to number all the boxes if you don’t want to.
You have the choice to:
- vote for one candidate - by putting a 1 next to their name
- vote for some candidates - by numbering several candidates in the order of your preference
- vote for all candidates - in the order of your preference
If your first-choice candidate doesn’t get enough votes and is eliminated, your vote can still count - but only if you've listed further preferences.
If you haven’t, your vote becomes exhausted, meaning it can’t help decide who wins.
Numbering more candidates gives your vote a better chance of staying in the count and influencing the outcome!
Why should I vote?
Voting in a local government election is not compulsory in Western Australia. However, all electors are strongly encouraged to vote. Local government plays a critical role in building and maintaining strong communities. The election is your opportunity to have your say on who represents you on Council.