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Local Government Elections

Local Government Elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October with half the Council seats becoming vacant on a biennial rotation. 

The next Shire of Capel Election will be held in 2027 for 5 positions of Council.

The role of a Councillor, as set out in Section 2.10 of the Act is to:

  • Represent the interests of electors, ratepayers and residents of the district
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the community in the district
  • Facilitates communication between the community and the Council
  • Participate in the local government's decision making process at Council and committee meetings
  • Performs such other functions as are given to a Councillor by this Act or any other written law.

The 2025 election for the Shire of Capel will be conducted as a postal election, with a Returning Officer appointed by the WA Electoral Commission.

The 2025 election timetable can be found at:

Elections Timetable WA

Information for Candidates

To be eligible to stand for election as a Council member you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older;
  • Be an elector of the Shire of Capel;
  • Not be nominating as a candidate in another election; and
  • Complete the mandatory online induction course.

Nominations

Nominations Open on Thursday, 28 August 2025

Nominations Close at 4:00 PM Thursday, 4 September 2025

Prior to lodging a nomination, candidates must first complete an induction as required under the Local Government Act 1995. The induction process is conducted via the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ website: Induction for prospective candidates | DLGSC

Nominations must be lodged with the WA Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Catherine Smallwood:
- at any time during the above period by arrangement;
- or between 2:00pm and 4:00pm Thursday, 4 September 2025 (close of nominations) at the Shire of Capel, 31 Forrest Road, CAPEL.


Full details about eligibility and nomination procedures for prospective candidates can be obtained by contacting the Returning Officer, Catherine Smallwood on 0448 175 845 or via email LGro_Capel@elections.wa.gov.au or the Western Australian Electoral Commission on 13 63 06.

Candidate Profiles 

Voting

Election packages are posted to all electors on the Shire of Capel roll approximately three weeks before election day. Every person enrolled on the electoral roll will be issued a ballot by mail and invited to complete the ballot and return it to the Shire by 6pm on Election Day. 

The Local Government Act has recently changed to enable Optional Preferential voting at Local Government Elections.  This means that when completing your voting cards you have the option to select a single candidate or to number the candidates according to your preferences.

Election Day

The Shire of Capel Local Government Election to fill 4 vacant positions will be held on Saturday, 18 October 2025. Elected members will serve a 4-year term.   

The Shire encourages everyone that is eligible to make their vote count by participating in the election of their preferred local representative.

For more information please visit:

Local Government Elections

Elections WA