Local Government Elections
The Town of Cottesloe Council comprises of 9 Elected Members, which is made up of a Mayor, who represents the district as a whole, and 8 Councillors. Each Councillor represents one of the Town's four Wards with each Ward represented by two Councillors.
Local government elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October. The next election will be held on 21 October 2023.
Councillors are elected for terms of four years in Western Australia. Elections are held every two years for half of the council, and candidates are elected using the first-past-the-post voting system. If a vacancy occurs within a term, an extraordinary election is held.
The Town of Cottesloe has generally appointed the Western Australian Electoral Commission as the Returning Officer to conduct a postal election for the Town. By making the Electoral Commissioner responsible for these elections, the local governments concerned ensure that elections are conducted independently and with impartiality.
For local government elections, rolls close at 5.00pm, 50 days prior to polling day. All electors should check their enrolment details are up to date before rolls close.
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.
For postal elections, all eligible electors will receive a postal voting package around three weeks prior to polling day. The package will include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote and a declaration. To vote, follow the instructions included in the package.
The Returning Officer must receive your postal voting package before 6.00pm on polling day. If you do not think that your postal voting package can be returned by post in time, you can deliver it by hand to a polling official.
While voting in a local government election is not compulsory in Western Australia, all electors are strongly encouraged to vote.
2023 Local Government Extraordinary Election
Information about the local government extraordinary election to be held on Saturday, 25 February 2023 can be found here.
2023 October Local Government Election - Key Dates
| TBC |
Prospective Candidates Information Session |
| TBC |
Electoral roll closes |
| TBC |
Candidate nomination period |
| 21 October 2023 |
Election Day - postal votes counted and results announced |
LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXTRAORDINARY ELECTION
Related Documents
Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates Code of Conduct (2021)
Ward Boundaries Map
Local Government Elections - Form 2 - Enrolment Eligibility Claim
Frequently Asked Questions - Voting
Useful Links and Forms
How to become a Councillor
Department of Local Government - Local Government Elections
Western Australian Electoral Commission