day. However, votes can also be cast in person before election day at a polling place in the local government district (early vote), in person at another local government district up to 4.00pm on the fourth day before election day (absent vote) or by post (postal vote) by application. Each government can choose to conduct an election as a postal election in preference to a voting person’ election. In this case, a ballot paper is sent to every ‘in elector for that district and these can be returned by post or delivered to the electoral officer on or before election day. All postal elections must be conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. What are the opportunities for reform? Elections must have a high level of integrity to ensure public confidence in the outcome. Elections must also be conducted in a way that maximises participation of eligible voters in an efficient manner while supporting the principles that are the foundation of our democracy. Some of the ways to change how elections are conducted include: Compulsory voting; Voting method (First Past the Post); Permitting electronic and online voting; Requiring postal voting to be offered in all districts; Mandating the use of the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) to conduct elections; Allowing third-parties to conduct postal voting; Methods to resolve ties; Methods to fill vacancies in lieu of extraordinary elections; and Caretaker provisions. Compulsory voting It is a requirement of every elector to cast a vote in both State and Federal elections throughout Australia, but this same requirement does not extend to all local government elections. In Western Australia, voting in a local government election is not compulsory. Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania do not compel people to vote in local government elections. On the other hand, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory do have compulsory voting for local government elections. Historic voter turnout in local government elections in Western Australia is significantly low with only 34.2% of eligible voters casting a vote in the 2017 ordinary elections. This raises the question as to how reflective local government councils are of the communities they represent. Introducing compulsory voting for local government elections would ensure greater turnout in elections. However, there may be little desire for such a change to occur
day. However, votes can also be cast in person before election day at a polling place in the local government district (early vote), in person at another local government district up to 4.00pm on the fourth day before election day (absent vote) or by post (postal vote) by application. Each government can choose to conduct an election as a postal election in preference to a voting ‘in person’ election. In this case, a ballot paper is sent to every elector for that district and these can be returned by post or delivered to the electoral officer on or before election day. All postal elections must be conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. What are the opportunities for reform? Elections must have a high level of integrity to ensure public confidence in the outcome. Elections must also be conducted in a way that maximises participation of eligible voters in an efficient manner while supporting the principles that are the foundation of our democracy. Some of the ways to change how elections are conducted include: Compulsory voting; Voting method (First Past the Post); Permitting electronic and online voting; Requiring postal voting to be offered in all districts; Mandating the use of the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) to conduct elections; Allowing third-parties to conduct postal voting; Methods to resolve ties; Methods to fill vacancies in lieu of extraordinary elections; and Caretaker provisions. Compulsory voting It is a requirement of every elector to cast a vote in both State and Federal elections throughout Australia, but this same requirement does not extend to all local government elections. In Western Australia, voting in a local government election is not compulsory. Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania do not compel people to vote in local government elections. On the other hand, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory do have compulsory voting for local government elections. Historic voter turnout in local government elections in Western Australia is significantly low with only 34.2% of eligible voters casting a vote in the 2017 ordinary elections. This raises the question as to how reflective local government councils are of the communities they represent. Introducing compulsory voting for local government elections would ensure greater turnout in elections. However, there may be little desire for such a change to occur