When is the next local government election?
The next ordinary election will be held on Saturday 18 October 2025.
How can I find out more about the election?
The WAEC has appointed a Returning Officer, Mr Garry Waldron, to oversee the election. The Returning Officer is responsible for candidate nominations, management of polling places and polling place staff, and supervising the election.
The Returning Officer's contact details are:
Email: LGro_Derby-West.Kimberley@elections.wa.gov.au
Telephone: 0455 078 207
For queries relating to the election, contact Telia Reilly, Governance and Risk Coordinator, on 9191 0964, or email governance@sdwk.wa.gov.au
Which elected member positions are up for election?
President (1)
Councillor (8)
Will the Shire be open on election day to accept my vote?
Yes. Details are:
Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre, Cnr of Forest Rd &, 5 Flynn Drive: 8am – 11am
Derby Council Chambers, 31 Clarendon Street: 8am – 6pm
Is voting compulsory?
No. Voting in a local government election is not compulsory in Western Australia, however we strongly encourage you to have your say on your representatives on Council.
Is absent or early voting available?
Early Voting
The Shire wishes to advise the community early voting dates for Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and remote communities have changed. Please refer to the below dates.
Early Voting Derby
Thursday 2 October - Friday 17 October
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Weekdays
Vote at: Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Administration Centre
Early Voting Fitzroy Crossing
Thursday 2 October, Friday 3 October, Thursday 16 October
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Vote at: Tarunda IGA
Monday 6 October - Thursday 16 October 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Vote at: Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre
Dates for early voting in communities will be advised once confirmed.
Postal Voting
Electors do not have to vote in person on election day but can cast their vote by post. An elector can apply for a postal vote by completing this form
LGO12 - Application for Postal Voting Paper. Please send your completed form to
sdwk@sdwk.wa.gov.au. Alternatively, you can attend the Derby Administration Centre and complete a form in person. The completed form will then be provided to the West Australian Electoral Commission who will send the voting papers to your nominated postal address.
You may make your application at any time, however, your completed application must be returned and received by the West Australian Electoral Commission by 4pm on the 14th October 2025.
Absentee Voting
An absent vote is one cast at a local government in Western Australia, for an election at another local government. It is the responsibility of the elector to ascertain the names of the candidates for the election at which they propose to vote.
Members of the public enrolled on the electoral roll in the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley can attend another local government administration office in Western Australia to conduct an absentee vote for our Shire local government election. Absentee votes can be cast from 2 October to 14 October 4pm.
Although the local government where the elector intends to vote may be able to assist with the names of the candidates for the election it is not under an obligation to do so. An elector will be given a blank ballot paper to fill out. After completing the relevant form that is available and returning it together with the completed ballot paper, the documentation will be posted to the Returning Officer at the elector’s local government.
An absent vote must be cast by 4pm on the 14th October 2025.
Are residents automatically enrolled to vote?
You are automatically enrolled to vote if you are on the State electoral roll. The roll closes at 5pm, Friday 22 August 2025. You can check your enrolment status on the WAEC website: Check Your Enrolment
How do I know if I can vote?
You can vote if you are on the Shire’s resident roll or owner/occupier roll if you are a non-resident in the Shire.
Further information on how to enrol to vote can be found at the Western Australian Electoral Commission website
What is the Caretaker Period?
Caretaker restrictions will apply from Thursday, 4 September at 4.00pm, until the declaration of results of the local government ordinary election, 18 October 2025.
Section 3.73 of the Local Government Act 1995 prohibits local governments from doing, or deciding to do, any ‘significant acts’ during a caretaker period.
When will the votes be counted?
Votes will be counted after 6pm on election day, at the Derby Council Chambers, 31 Clarendon Street.
Election results will be announced as soon as the Western Australian Electoral Commission finalises the counting of votes.
How do I nominate as a candidate?
To stand for election, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be an elector of the Shire
- Be on the Australian Electoral Role
- Complete the mandatory candidate induction
The nomination period opens on Thursday 28 August and closes at 4pm on Thursday 4 September 2025. More information on how to nominate can be found here: Become an Elected Member