Shire of Pingelly

2025 Local Government Elections

Local government elections play a vital role in our democratic system. They are an excellent opportunity for community members to contribute to, and be involved in, the future of their Shire.

The 2025 Local Government Elections will be held on 18 October 2025 

At this election there will be:

Four (4) Councillor positions available, each with a 4-year term

One (1) Councillor position available with a 2-year term

Local government elections in Western Australia are held every two years on the third Saturday in October. Councillors serve four-year terms, with half of the Council positions contested at each election. If a vacancy occurs mid-term, an extraordinary election may be held.

The Shire of Pingelly has engaged the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) to conduct the 2025 elections, ensuring the process is independent and impartial. WAEC appoints a Returning Officer to oversee nominations, manage ballot papers, and supervise the vote count.

The voting method is Optional Preferential Voting (OPV), conducted by postal voting. Completed votes must be received by the Returning Officer by 6.00pm on polling day to be counted.

Official results will be published on the WAEC website as soon as possible after polling closes, and a formal notice will be issued shortly afterward.

Shire of Pingelly Council

The Shire of Pingelly Council consists of seven (7) elected members.

Currently, the Council is operating with six (6) Councillors, as the Shire requested the Electoral Commissioner to allow the vacant position to remain unfilled until the next ordinary election in October 2025, which was approved.

The Council governs the Shire by making decisions on community services, infrastructure, local laws, and strategic planning. Councillors represent the interests of residents, set policies, and ensure the Shire is managed effectively for the benefit of the community.

Being a Councillor is an opportunity to contribute to local decision-making, influence community outcomes, and help shape the future of Pingelly.

👉 Click HERE to view details of the Shire of Pingelly’s elected members.

Key Election Dates

  • Close of electoral rolls – 22 August 2025 (5pm)

  • Nominations open – 28 August 2025

  • Nominations close – 4 September 2025 (4pm)

  • Election packages mailed to voters – Approximately four weeks before Election Day

  • Election Day (close of polls) – 18 October 2025 (6pm)

Nominating

Are you interested in becoming a Councillor? Nominating is an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of Pingelly.

The 2025 election will fill:

  • Four (4) Councillor positions – 4-year terms

  • One (1) Councillor position – 2-year term

Nominations open on Thursday, 28 August 2025 and close at 4.00pm, Thursday, 4 September 2025.

To support potential candidates, the Shire will host a Local Government Elections Candidate Information Webinar. 

2025 Local Government Elections Candidate Information Webinar


📍 Council Chambers, Shire of Pingelly Administration Building
📅 18 August 2025
⏰ 6.00pm – 7.30pm

This session will provide information about the nomination process and answer any questions.

Nomination Requirements

To nominate, candidates must lodge a completed nomination with the Returning Officer during the nomination period. Nominations must include:

  • A completed nomination form (preferred via WAEC’s Nomination Builder, or available from the Returning Officer/WAEC website)

  • A candidate profile of no more than 1,000 characters (including spaces)

  • A nomination deposit of $100 (cash, EFT, bank cheque or postal order)

  • Proof of completion of the mandatory online Candidate Induction Course (LGIRS)

  • (Optional) a recent passport-sized photo

  • (Optional) an additional written statement of up to 2,000 characters for publication on the Shire’s website

👉 Click HERE to view the full Public Notice – Call for Nominations
👉 WAEC Candidate Information and Forms

For further information about nominating, please contact the Returning Officer, Mrs Gail Macnab, on 0418 764 117 or the Western Australian Electoral Commission on 13 63 06.

Voting

All eligible electors will receive a voting package by post for the Shire of Pingelly Local Government Election.

  • If you do not receive your package, or require a replacement, please visit the Shire of Pingelly Administration Building to obtain a new pack.

  • Completed ballot papers must be returned by 6.00pm, Saturday 18 October 2025 to be included in the count.

Enrolling to Vote

You may be eligible to vote if you live in, or are an owner or occupier of, rateable property in the Shire of Pingelly.

  • Residents – You are automatically enrolled if you are on the State Electoral Roll at 5.00pm, Friday 22 August 2025. If you have recently moved or are not enrolled, you must complete an enrolment form before this deadline.

  • Non-Resident Owners and Occupiers – Owners of land remain enrolled until the property is no longer owned. Occupiers must re-apply to enrol and must hold a right of continuous occupation (e.g., lease or tenancy) for at least three months beyond the date of application.

  • Joint Owners and Occupiers – Where a property has more than two owners/occupiers, a majority may nominate up to two eligible people to enrol.

  • Corporations – A body corporate that owns or occupies property may nominate up to two eligible officers to enrol.

📌 Key Deadline: All enrolments and updates must be received by 5.00pm, Friday 22 August 2025.

Helpful Links

👉 Click HERE to view the full Public Notice - Close of Enrolments

For further assistance with non-resident owner or occupier enrolments, please contact the Shire of Pingelly Administration Office on 08 9887 1066.

Returning Officer

The Returning Officer oversees the conduct of the Shire of Pingelly Local Government Election, ensuring that the election is managed fairly, independently, and in accordance with the law. This includes:

  • Accepting and processing nominations from candidates

  • Issuing and receiving ballot papers

  • Supervising the counting of votes

  • Managing election enquiries from voters and candidates

📌 Returning Officer: Mrs Gail MACNAB
👉 0418 764 117

Returning Officer for the Shire of Pingelly 

Mrs Gail MACNAB
0418 764 117

For questions about nominations, voting, or election procedures, electors and prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the Returning Officer directly.

Declaration of Gifts

Under the Local Government Act 1995 and the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997, all candidates (and donors) are required to disclose gifts made or promised for the purpose of the election.

Key requirements include:

  • Both the candidate and donor must declare the gift

  • Applies to all candidates, whether or not they are current Councillors

  • Gifts over $200 must be declared, including financial contributions, items, services, heavy discounts, or promises of gifts

  • Multiple gifts from the same source must be declared once they exceed $200 in total

  • Gifts from unidentified sources are not permitted

Exceptions: No disclosure is required if the gift is:

  • From a relative (as defined in the Local Government Act)

  • Left in a will

  • Unrelated to the election

  • Volunteer labour

Disclosure timeline:

  • Starts 6 months before the election and finishes 3 days afterwards

  • Must be disclosed to the CEO in writing:

    • Within 3 business days of nomination; and

    • Within 3 days of receiving or being promised a gift after nomination

The CEO records all disclosures in the Electoral Gifts Register, which is open to public inspection.

⚠️ Penalties of up to $5,000 apply for non-compliance.

👉 Click HERE to view the Shire of Pingelly’s Register of Electoral Gifts

Further Information

For more guidance on nominations, voting, and election procedures, the following resources may be helpful:

    Electors and prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the Returning Officer directly for any specific queries regarding their participation in the election.