Local Government Elections

The Town of Cottesloe Council comprises of nine Elected Members, including the Mayor. All Councillors and the Mayor represent the entire district of Cottesloe. 

Local government elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October.  The next election is proposed to be held on 18 October 2025.

Councillors are elected for terms of four years in Western Australia. Elections are held every two years for half of the council, and candidates are elected using the first-past-the-post voting system. If a vacancy occurs within a term, an extraordinary election is held.

The Town of Cottesloe has generally appointed the Western Australian Electoral Commission as the Returning Officer to conduct a postal election for the Town. By making the Electoral Commissioner responsible for these elections, the local governments concerned ensure that elections are conducted independently and with impartiality.

For local government elections, rolls close at 5.00pm, 50 days prior to polling day. All electors should check their enrolment details are up to date before rolls close.

If the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies, the candidate is elected unopposed. If there are more candidates than vacancies, the election will proceed.

For postal elections, all eligible electors will receive a postal voting package around three weeks prior to polling day.  The package will include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote and a declaration. To vote, follow the instructions included in the package.

The Returning Officer must receive your postal voting package before 6.00pm on polling day. If you do not think that your postal voting package can be returned by post in time, you can deliver it by hand to a polling official.

While voting in a local government election is not compulsory in Western Australia, all electors are strongly encouraged to vote.

Results

The results from the Local Government Ordinary Election held on 21 October 2023 are available here.

How to Become a Council Member 

Councillors play a vital leadership role, working together to create and implement the community's vision, strategic direction and values. Councillor's are the decision makers on funding, policies and projects for Cottesloe.

There will be four positions available for the October 2025 Local Government Ordinary Election.

The State Government passed legislation in 2023 which removed the Ward system for the Town of Cottesloe. This means that those elected will represent the entire district of Cottesloe. 

If you would like to make a difference in your local community and participate to local decision making, then consider becoming a candidate for the Cottesloe election on Saturday 18 October 2025.

Information for Candidates

Nominations for the 2025 Local Government Election opened approximately 8 weeks prior to the election.

Visit the Australian Electoral Commission website for details on eligibility, how to nominate and the applicable form. Additional information is also available via the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website. 

Australian Electoral Commission website

Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

Disclosure of Electoral Gifts

Candidates have a duty of disclosure of electoral donations. Candidates and donors are required to disclose any electoral related gifts promised or received within the six months prior to polling day.

More information on Electoral Gifts

Election Signage

An election sign is one encouraging a person to either vote or vote for a particular candidate in an election.

The West Australian Electoral Commission sets out the authorisation requirements of electoral materials on their website. 

An Election Sign Licence must be obtained from the Town of Cottesloe prior to erecting any signs in the district. The signs must be displayed in accordance with the relevant Local Law.

The Main Roads website also specifies the requirements for temporary event signs in road reserves under their ownership. 

More information on Election Signage

Code of Conduct

Candidates must abide by the Town's current Council Members, Committee Members and Candidate Code of Conduct. 

Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates Code of Conduct

Related Links and Forms

Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

Western Australian Electoral Commission Forms and Guides

Local Government Elections - Form 2 - Enrolment Eligibility Claim

Election Signs

An election sign is one encouraging a person to either vote or vote for a particular candidate in an election.

Private Property

An election sign may be erected with the approval of the owner prior to the erection of the sign from any date.

Town of Cottesloe Requirements

Application for an Electoral Sign Licence

An Application for a Sign Licence must be submitted and an Electoral Sign Licence obtained prior to erecting any signs in the thoroughfares. Completed Application for Sign Licence forms can be sent to the Town of Cottesloe by post to PO Box 606, Cottesloe, 6911, via email to town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au or in person at the Administration Office - 109 Broome Street, Cottesloe.

Election signage must be in accordance with the Activities on Thoroughfares and Trading in Thoroughfares and Public Places Local Law,. Restrictions include, but are not limited to: 

• It is prohibited to erect election signs in a thoroughfare, road reserve or other public property without obtaining prior approval from the Town.

• It is prohibited to erect signs in places that cause sight obstructions.

• It is prohibited to erect signs on power poles, trees, shrubs or plants. 

Please note, separate Building and Planning approvals are generally not required for Election signs.

Western Australian Electoral Commission Requirements

Information on what must be included in electoral advertising and publications can be found on the Western Australian Electoral Commission website.

Main Roads Requirements

With regard to road reserves, Main Roads has its own requirements – refer to the Main Roads Policy - Policy and Application Guidelines for Advertising Signs Within and Beyond State Road Reserves. Please note the following requirements:

Temporary event signs (which includes election signage) shall not be located:

• on traffic islands, including roundabouts

• on median strips

• on road verges with a road speed limit greater than 90 km/h

• where they are at risk of causing an obstruction to the passage or sightlines of drivers, bicyclists or pedestrians travelling along or crossing roads or driveways

• within 100 m of a roadworks site

Temporary event signs shall not be attached to:

• existing signs, including other advertising signs

• any road-related infrastructure such as traffic sign supports, overhead bridges, bus shelters, lighting/power poles, etc, or trees

If attached to any infrastructure that encroaches over the road reserve or if suspended from ropes, wires, etc from any building or other infrastructure, a written agreement must be obtained from the owner of the building or infrastructure.

Electoral Gifts

Disclosures

Part 5A of the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997 requires both candidates and donors to disclose information about any election-related gift if the value of the gift is $200 or more; or the value of the gift is less than $200, but the gift is one of two or more gifts, with a total value of $200 or more, made by one person. 

Electoral gifts

A 'gift' means a disposition of property, or the conferral of any financial benefit, made by one person in favour or another.

It can include:

• a gift of money

• a gift which is non-monetary but of value

• a gift in kind or where there is inadequate financial consideration such as the receipt of a discount (where the difference or discount is more than $200 worth

• financial or other contribution to travel

• the provision of a service for no consideration or for inadequate consideration

• a firm promise or agreement to give a gift at some future time.

A gift does not include a gift by will; a gift by a relative (as defined in section 5.74(1) of the Local Government Act 1996); a gift that does not relate to the candidate's candidature; or the provision of volunteer labour.

Disclosure period

Within three days of nomination, any candidate in a local government election is required to disclose any gifts received within the disclosure period. Any gifts received after the nomination has been made must be disclosed within three days of acceptance of the gift. The disclosure period commences six months prior to the Election Day (for unsuccessful candidates) and on the start day for financial interest returns for successful candidates. The start day is the day of the declaration by the Elected Member.

How a disclosure is made

All disclosures are to be made on a LG09A Disclosure of Gifts form and delivered to the Town of Cottesloe Chief Executive Officer within three days of receiving the gift, once your candidate nomination has been made to the returning officer. Information to be supplied includes the name of the candidate, the name and address of the donor, the date the gift was received (or promised), the value of the gift and a description of the gift.

Email forms to town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au or hand deliver to the Town's administration centre at 109 Broome Street, Cottesloe.

Donors will also need to disclose any gifts made within the relevant period. 

Related Links and Forms

Disclosure of Electoral Gifts Form

Department of Local Government - Local Government Elections

Public Registers