Local government elections are held every two years, on the third Saturday in October. To become a councillor you must nominate yourself and once accepted you can campaign. Residents elect three councillors to represent each ward and a Mayor for the Council. Elected members are chosen for a four year term. Voting can be done through post or in person at the City’s administration building. Voting is voluntary.
Local government elections will be held in October 2017. They will be run by the WA Electoral Commission as a postal vote.
There will be six vacancies -- for the Mayor, two councillors each in West and Central Wards and one in East Ward.
These roles are currently represented by Mayor Howlett and Councillors Allen and Sweetman (West), Councillors Eva and Houwen (Central) and Councillor Smith (East).
Anyone aged 18 or older, and is on the local governments electoral roll, can nominate for council.
You cannot run for Council if you are:
- A member of parliament or a member on another Council
- Are financially insolvent
- Currently serving a prison sentence
- Convicted of a serious local government offence in the previous five years
- Convicted of an offence for which the indictable penalty was imprisonment of more than five years
- Found personally liable for misapplying local government funds or property in the previous five years.
Ever thought about nominating to become a councillor, but you aren't sure if the role is for you? Then be sure to register for this free webinar to have all your questions answered.
Topics will include:
- an overview of local government
- the roles and responsibilities of Council and elected members
- behavioural expectations of elected members
- an overview of the skills required to be a successful councillor, and
- impacts on home life
The target audience for this webinar is anyone who is thinking about nominating for local government election.
Like all of WALGA’s webinars you will have an opportunity to ask questions during the Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
Date: Thursday, 17 August
Time: 5-5.45pm (including presentation and Q&A session)
Be quick to register as places will fill fast.
Please click to register for this free webinar opens in a new window.
A person can run for council in any ward of that local government’s district.
How to become a Councillor
You can submit an online nomination opens in a new window to stand as a candidate in the local government elections. If accepted, you then campaign in your chosen ward to tell people who you are and what you believe you can do for them if elected.
Election Day
Residents of each ward can elect representatives for their area of Council on election day. Every four years, a Mayor is also elected. Residents of respective wards receive voting forms in the post prior to election day. Voting can be done through post or in person at the City’s administration building at 9 Coleville Crescent in Spearwood on election day. Voting is voluntary for local government elections.
City of Cockburn elected members are elected for a period of four years.
Wards and boundaries
Please go to Our People and Suburbs for more information on Cockburn boundaries and wards.