Local government elections are held biennially, on the third Saturday in October. The Mayor and Councillors are each elected to four year terms. Enrolled residents elect the Mayor and three councillors to represent each ward (West, Central and East).
The City of Cockburn elections are conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission, which appoints a Returning Officer to oversee the elections, including taking candidate nominations and supervising the count during the election.
The Returning Officer appointed to conduct the City of Cockburn Local Government election in 2023 will be notified closer to the time.
Residents of each respective wards receive voting forms in the post prior to the election day. Voting can be done by post prior to election day, or in person between 8am and 6pm at the City's Administration building at 9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood on election day. Voting is voluntary for local government elections.
Who can nominate to run for council in a local government election?
Anyone aged 18 years or older, and who is on the Western Australian Electoral Commission's Electoral Roll, which is currently being prepared, can nominate for Council. You should be automatically enrolled for your residential address. Contact the City's Rates Department on 08 9411 3444 to check your eligibility.
You cannot run for Council if you are:
- A member of parliament or a member on another Council
- 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.
A person can nominate for the position of Mayor and/or as a councillor for any ward of the three wards in the district, subject to satisfying the eligibility requirements.
A free forum for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds considering standing for local council.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) Local Government Division and Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) will be hosting a free forum for potential candidates from CaLD backgrounds to learn about the role and responsibilities of a local government councillor and how to become a candidate.
The forum will be introduced by the Minister for Local Government, Hon John Carey MLA, and feature a panel of serving councillors from CaLD backgrounds.
When: Wednesday 7 June 2023
Time: 6pm to 8pm (registration from 5.30pm)
Where: The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Leederville Office, 246 Vincent Street Leederville
Cost: Free
Registration is required and places are limited.
Register for the forum
For enquiries, please email [email protected] or call 08 6552 7300.
Anyone aged 18 years or older, and who is on the Western Australian Electoral Commission's Electoral Roll may vote. You should be automatically enrolled for your residential address, but if you own more than one property in the district, you may be entitled to vote in more than one ward election. Contact the City's Rates Department on 08 9411 3444 to check your eligibility.
It is mandatory for prospective candidates to undertake a training course prior to nomination.
For further information please visit the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries opens in a new window website.
How to become a Councillor?
You can nominate to stand as a candidate in the local government elections, by contacting the Returning Officer. If accepted, you are then able to commence your campaign for election.
Please go to Our People and Suburbs opens in a new window for more information on Cockburn wards and boundaries.