How the elections work

Local governments (councils) are a bit of an abnormality in the Australian political system: they gain their power from state governments, who also decide the rules they must follow.

When voting in a local government election, you are electing the members of council (councillors). If you live in a town or city, you can also elect the mayor. Shires have a Shire President (chosen by councillors) in place of a mayor. There are 137 councils across WA.

Local government elections are held on the third Saturday of October every two years. This year's elections are being held on October 16. Because councillors serve four year terms, only half the councillors are up for election at every election. If your council elects the Mayor, that position is only up for grabs every second council election (every four years).

In the vast majority of councils, you will not need to go to a polling place (voting centre) to cast your vote in this year's elections. Instead, you will receive a letter from the Western Australian Electoral Commission which will contain everything you need to vote. You do not need to do anything to get the letter. It will automatically be sent to the location where you are registered to vote.

For some rural councils though, they will be holding in person elections. These councils are:

• The shires of Boyup Brook, Carnamah, Christmas Island, Cranbrook, Caballing, Dalwallinu, Goomalling, Kellerberrin, Kojonup, Kondinin, Mount Magnent, Nannup, Narembeen, Northampton, Pingelly, Sandstone, Trayning, West Arthur and Wickepin.

In these councils, you will need to apply for a postal vote if you are planning on voting by mail. More information on voting in these councils can be found by clicking the button below.

For the vast majority of councils who conduct postal elections, your letter containing the voting materials should arrive in the mail sometime between Friday September 17 and Friday October 1. If you do not receive your ballot by then, you can contact the Western Australian Electoral Commission and request a replacement ballot.

Your letter will contain the following:

• One ballot paper (or two ballot papers if an election for Mayor is also occurring)

• An information package on the candidates (which be attached to the ballot paper/s)

• An envelope to place the ballot paper/s in

• A second reply-paid (no cost) envelope to send your ballots back in (your first envelope goes inside the reply-paid envelope)

• A voting guide

If you decide to vote, read the instructions on the ballot paper/s, then fill out your ballot papers accordingly. Place your ballot paper/s in the first, smaller envelope. Then place that envelope in the larger reply-paid envelope provided.

Before your post your ballot/s back, make sure you have signed and dated the declaration on the envelope. If you don't do this, your vote WILL NOT be counted.

Try to complete and return your ballot as soon as possible. If you leave it too late, you may need to return your ballot/s in person to your local council office.

Once you have returned your ballot/s, you have finished voting. The votes will be counted from 6pm on Saturday October 16. It should be clear in most cases who has been elected on the night.