Enrol to Vote

When you enrol to vote, you are enrolled for Commonwealth, State and local government elections. You can check your enrolment online. 

You can:

This is important if you have: 

  • moved house 
  • changed your name 
  • turned 18 recently 
  • become an Australian citizen 
  • not yet joined the electoral roll or 
  • want to check or update your enrolment details 

How to vote

Optional preferential voting is the voting system used in Local government elections. This means you have the choice to number the candidates in the order of your preference. You do not 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  

Who can vote

Residents 
All residents in a local government district who are enrolled on the State electoral roll are automatically enrolled on the corresponding local government roll. You must make sure you are correctly enrolled, and your details are up to date by 5pm 22 August to vote in the Local government elections. 

Owners and Occupiers 
People who own or occupy rateable property within a local government district, can apply to their local government to be included on the roll as an owner/occupier, as long as they are eligible electors. 

Click on the headings below to reveal information on how to vote.

I am a resident

  • If you are already enrolled to vote in the State and Federal elections for the area in which you live, no further action is required. You will be entitled to one vote.
  • If you have recently moved to the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley, turned 18 years of age or become an Australian citizen, you may need to check your enrolment status

I am a landlord who owns property in the Shire

If you own more than one property and are already enrolled to vote, there is no need to enrol again. You will be entitled to one vote.

I am a business owner who owns or leases property in the Shire

If you live and own a business within the Shire, there is no need to enrol again. You will be entitled to one vote.

A person who is enrolled to vote in a State or Federal election outside a district or ward, but who owns or occupies a rateable property in a local government district or ward, may claim eligibility and be enrolled to vote in elections for that district or ward.

If your business is a corporate body, you may be able to nominate up to two people to vote on behalf of the corporate body by filling out Form 2C. Please ensure you also complete Form 2, if the body corporate owns the property, or Form 2A, if the body corporate is occupying (leasing) the property.

I am part of a corporate body that leases or owns property in the Shire

Where a body corporate makes an enrolment eligibility claim, the CEO must be satisfied the body corporate exists and is an eligible body corporate.

The nomination by a body corporate (for example, a company) must be made by an officer of that body corporate, as defined in the Election Regulations. This means the nomination must be made by:

  • a director of the body corporate or equivalent, or
  • the CEO of the body corporate or equivalent, or
  • the secretary or equivalent of the body corporate.