March 2013
Media Information Kit
Foreword
The materials contained in this Information Kit have been prepared by the Western Australian Electoral Commission (the Commission) to provide information to media representatives, but may be of interest to Members of Parliament, political parties, candidates, polling officials and other interested groups.
Also, the Commission has a dedicated election website that contains relevant information to the election at www.elections.wa.gov.au in addition to its corporate website at www.waec.wa.gov.au.
More detailed information on previous elections including in-depth results, historical material and statistical data can be obtained by contacting the Commission.
The last State general election was held on Saturday, 6 September 2008.
This State election will be the 39th election held to elect a Western Australian parliament and the first under fixed date legislation which provides for an election to be held on the second Saturday in March every four years. After 1 November 2012, the date is confirmed as 9 March 2013.
The Commission is continually striving to provide the best possible service to all our customers and intends to use the election website as the major means of publishing the results of the forthcoming election as they become available.
Any enquiries regarding the information contained within this Information Kit or any media enquiries should be directed to the Media Manager, on (08) 9214 0484.
Contents
Timetable for the 2013 State General Election ...... 1 Media...... 2 Service commitments to the media ...... 2 Targeted service standards for the media...... 2 Election website ...... 3 Election night results ...... 3 2013 Election Key Facts and Figures ...... 4 Enrolment...... 4 Election resource estimates ...... 4 Polling places ...... 4 Districts and regions...... 5 Summary of Election Results 2008...... 6 Legislative Assembly...... 6 Legislative Council ...... 9 Current Sitting Members...... 13 Legislative Assembly...... 13 Legislative Council ...... 15 Who’s Who at the Election...... 16 Role of the Returning Officer...... 16 Role of the Electoral Commissioner and Commission staff...... 16 Role of casual staff...... 17 What’s New for 2013 ...... 19 Fixed election date ...... 19 Revised electoral boundaries ...... 19 Vote Assist ...... 19 Audio loops ...... 20 Personalised EasyVote card ...... 20 Elector Recording System...... 21 Training ...... 21 Additional Perth Airport polling places...... 21 Advertising ...... 22 Radio...... 22 TV ...... 22 Print...... 22 Online...... 22 Social media...... 23 Media ...... 23 Enrolment ...... 24 Compulsory enrolment ...... 24 Close of the State Electoral Roll...... 24 Confirming enrolment...... 24 Special category enrolment...... 24 Key enrolment figures ...... 25
Nominations...... 26 Candidate nominations...... 26 Ballot paper draws ...... 26 Candidate eligibility ...... 26 Qualifications for membership of State Parliament ...... 26 Disqualifications for membership of State Parliament ...... 27 Political party registration ...... 28 Current registered political parties in Western Australia...... 28 Voting...... 29 Voting is compulsory ...... 29 Early voting ...... 29 Polling day...... 29 EasyVote cards ...... 29 Voting process ...... 30 Seeking assistance ...... 30 Enhancing Access to Voting ...... 31 Electors with a disability ...... 31 Indigenous electors ...... 32 Electors with English as Second Language ...... 32 Overseas electors ...... 33 Voting Systems...... 34 Voting system for the Legislative Assembly ...... 34 Voting system for the Legislative Council...... 34 Counting the votes ...... 35 Electoral District Profiles...... 36 2011 Electoral Distribution...... 37 What is an electoral distribution? ...... 37 Why do we have electoral distributions? ...... 37 When are electoral distributions held? ...... 37 How long does the electoral distribution take to complete?...... 37 Who conducts the electoral distribution?...... 37 What is the average district enrolment? ...... 37 What are the steps in the electoral distribution process? ...... 38 When do the new boundaries take effect? ...... 38 Viewing the new boundaries ...... 38 Further Information ...... 39
List of Tables Table 1 Number of electors on State Electoral Roll (2008)...... 6 Table 2 Total votes counted (2008) ...... 6 Table 3 Summary of nominated candidates by political party, Legislative Assembly (2008)7 Table 4 Summary of seats won by political party, Legislative Assembly (2008) ...... 7 Table 5 First preference votes by district, Legislative Assembly (2008) ...... 8 Table 6 Summary of nominated candidates by political party, Legislative Council (2008)...9 Table 7 Summary of seats won by political party, Legislative Council (2008)...... 9 Table 8 Types of votes in Perth metropolitan area, Legislative Council (2008) ...... 11 Table 9 Types of votes in country areas, Legislative Council (2008) ...... 12 Table 10 Current sitting members in the Legislative Assembly...... 13 Table 11 Current sitting members in the Legislative Council ...... 15 Table 12 Current list of registered political parties in Western Australia ...... 28
Timetable for the 2013 State General Election
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Media
The Commission has a dedicated email address for media enquiries available at [email protected] (media enquiries only).
The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Warwick Gately AM and the Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Mr Chris Avent are both available for interview, by contacting Mr Nick Way at the media email address or on (08) 9214 0484.
Media enquiries (including interview requests) will be answered as quickly as possible. To ensure a prompt response it would be useful if a description of the particularly media enquiry could be included.
Returning Officers are available for comment on matters of a factual nature only. Their contact details are available on the election website, listed by district and region.
Service commitments to the media
Media organisations and their representatives can expect the following:
early advice and specifications relating to the election night results system should a live-feed of results data be required (and the capacity exists to take it) access to an up-to-date website containing typically required electoral information, and progressively updated district and State-wide election results as soon as they become available provision of a Media Information Kit containing electoral information of relevance to background stories specified points of contact at the Commission to provide informed and helpful assistance and timely responses to requests for information clear guidance as to the media’s rights and responsibilities with respect to polling day activities the opportunity to provide feedback in respect of the systems and processes employed by the Commission to provide results and other information.
Targeted service standards for the media
The Commission is committed to providing quality services for the media during the State general election by:
providing access to accurate and timely election night results on the Commission’s website or via a direct data feed ensuring enquiries are responded to by nominated Commission staff in an accurate and comprehensive manner, with due consideration to stated deadlines.
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Election website
The Commission has a dedicated election website at www.elections.wa.gov.au. This website contains information on the State general election to be held on Saturday, 9 March 2013.
There is a dedicated section for the media which has been created to provide relevant and timely information so the media can report on the election.
This page has links to:
media releases election facts and figures what’s new information media responsibilities election rules (including those that are particularly relevant to the media) results.
Additionally, the media can contact the Commission for interviews or comment on an issue through the Media Manager:
Mr Nick Way Phone: (08) 9214 0484 Email: [email protected]
Election night results
On election night, some 795 polling place managers (in their capacity as assistant Returning Officers) will sort and count all ordinary votes taken during the day at their polling place. They will forward to their district Returning Officer, the first preference count for each candidate contesting that Legislative Assembly seat, a two candidate preferred count (i.e. a notional distribution) and finally for the Legislative Council, the first preference party, group or independent candidate votes.
Returning Officers will compile these numbers before sending them to the Commission for posting to the election results website or forwarding to media outlets that will be taking a live data feed. These progressively updated indicative results are what candidates, parties and the Western Australian community see on election night. The Commission will also provide results data for the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council as the counting of early votes proceeds at the Count Centre after 6.00pm on election night.
It should be noted that the Commission reserves the right not to post to the internet notional distribution results where there is a close three-way contest or one of the candidates selected for the notional distribution count (and advised to Polling Place Managers) proves not to attract sufficient votes to warrant that selection.
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2013 Election Key Facts and Figures
Enrolment
1,367,532 were enrolled at the close of enrolments on 6 September 2010 for the 2011 review of electoral boundaries. This represented 23,178 electors for each of the 59 districts. The number of electors enrolled for the 2013 State general election will be confirmed following the close of the electoral roll on Thursday, 14 February 2013. The biggest group of eligible voters for the next election is young people, aged 18–25. Enrolment drives for the 2013 election have targeted members of this group who are not currently enrolled to maximise the total number of electors participating.
Election resource estimates
Approximately 5.1 million ballot papers will be printed. Approximately 7,500 people will be employed to work in polling places and with mobile polling prior to polling day. Nearly 1.4 million EasyVote cards will be personally addressed and posted to enrolled electors within Western Australia. The Call Centre will operate from 8.00am–5.00pm weekdays and 8.00am–6.00pm on polling day. Candidates that receive at least 4% of the formal first preference vote will receive $1.73302 public funding for each valid vote. The election is projected to cost over $17 million.
Polling places
There will be 73 early voting in person locations available across the state, interstate and internationally. Mobile polling will occur in 87 remote communities including Indigenous communities, mine sites and stations. There will be 795 polling places on polling day, including 14 dual polling places (co- located polling places covering two electoral districts) and nine drive-in polling places. Polling places will be open from 8.00am–6.00pm on polling day. Polling place locations are available on the election website.
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Districts and regions
There are 59 districts for the Legislative Assembly, each electing one member and six regions for the Legislative Council, each electing six members. 95 candidates are to be elected to Western Australia’s 39th Parliament. Geographically, Mount Lawley is the smallest district in WA (17 km2). Geographically, North West Central is the largest district in WA (656,573km2). As at 31 December 2012, North West Central has the lowest number of electors (9,664). As at 31 December 2012, Butler has the highest number of electors (27,868). District profiles, providing information on individual districts and regions are available on the election website.
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Summary of Election Results 2008 The following section provides an overview of the results from the last State general election, held Saturday, 6 September 2008. Tables 1 and 2 describe the number of electors and a breakdown of votes received.
Table 1 Number of electors on State Electoral Roll (2008) Number of electors on the roll 1 333 339
Table 2 Total votes counted (2008) Total votes admitted to the count Ordinary 865 000 Absent 110 883 Early Vote by Post 54 686 Early Vote in Person 57 497 Provisional 1 191 Valid Votes 1 089 257 Informal Votes 61 240 Total Valid Votes 1 150 497
Legislative Assembly
At the 2008 State general election, 59 out of 472 nominated candidates were elected to the Legislative Assembly. Table 3 shows the number of candidates nominated for seats in the Legislative Assembly and their political affiliations. The number of seats won by candidates identifying their political affiliations in 2008 is shown in Table 4. Candidates with political party affiliations with the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party and The Nationals won seats in the Legislative Assembly, along with three Independent candidates.
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Table 3 Summary of nominated candidates by political party, Legislative Assembly (2008) Political party Candidates nominated Australian Labor Party 93 Christian Democratic Party 58 CITIZENS ELECTORAL COUNCIL 21 FAMILY FIRST 45 THE NATIONALS 29 New Country Party 3 ONE NATION 6 Greens (WA) 73 Liberal 92 Daylight Saving Party 5 Independent 44 No Party affiliation 3 Total 472
Table 4 Summary of seats won by political party, Legislative Assembly (2008) Political party Seats Australian Labor Party 28 Independents 3 Liberal 24 THE NATIONALS 4
Total 59
Table 5 provides a more in depth look at the first preference votes counted in the 2008 State general election for the Legislative Assembly, broken down by electoral district. The highest number of first preference votes was counted in Wanneroo (22,548), and the lowest number was counted in the Pilbara (7,517).
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Table 5 First preference votes by district, Legislative Assembly (2008) IND District ALP CDP CEC FFP GRN LIB NAT IND Other Total (2) Albany 7 709 950 431 1 492 6 486 2 628 19 696 Alfred Cove 4 059 314 1 907 8 628 5 094 20 002 Armadale 10 899 1 422 2 107 5 050 19 478 Balcatta 7 897 692 377 2 110 7 682 18 758 Bassendean 8 973 1 049 2 999 5 751 18 772 Bateman 5 538 750 2 562 10 541 350 19 741 Belmont 7 650 543 677 2 143 5 953 603 17 569 Blackwood-Stirling 2 527 350 264 1 837 4 518 8 003 145 176 17 820 Bunbury 5 192 351 1 009 1 591 9 400 17 543 Cannington 8 475 1 028 3 045 6 105 18 653 Carine 4 383 380 295 2 246 8 733 316 3 572 19 925 Central Wheatbelt 2 909 573 155 996 4 471 8 334 17 438 Churchlands 3 545 2 931 13 326 19 802 Cockburn 9 620 2 531 6 188 1 416 19 755 Collie-Preston 8 439 548 1 534 1 802 8 260 20 583 Cottesloe 3 470 393 3 366 12 552 19 781 Darling Range 6 893 1 010 2 913 9 513 20 329 Dawesville 5 832 233 93 460 1 191 9 836 17 645 Eyre 2 745 104 1 019 6 515 3 754 14 137 Forrestfield 7 884 672 747 2 488 8 153 19 944 Fremantle 7 286 350 318 5 191 5 689 18 834 Geraldton 5 213 551 1 036 1 030 6 616 3 460 17 906 Girrawheen 9 155 2 658 6 109 17 922 Gosnells 7 874 923 846 2 251 6 453 18 347 Hillarys 5 633 572 522 2 610 10 471 19 808 Jandakot 7 630 585 808 2 418 9 176 20 617 Joondalup 7 788 600 711 2 431 7 083 18 613 Kalamunda 6 121 806 401 2 871 9 257 19 456 Kalgoorlie 1 790 461 2 540 1 942 3 466 10 199 Kimberley 4 066 100 1 320 2 566 1 809 9 861 Kingsley 7 230 571 545 2 289 9 710 20 345 Kwinana 7 990 719 2 030 3 590 318 4 364 19 011 Mandurah 9 188 437 98 657 1 067 5 922 17 369 Maylands 8 065 614 3 524 6 270 18 473 Midland 8 968 687 2 869 6 645 19 169 Mindarie 9 288 401 644 1 949 6 839 19 121 Moore 3 105 317 45 389 1 157 7 556 6 025 49 18 643 Morley 7 010 635 1 687 6 797 337 3 145 19 611 Mount Lawley 6 487 516 305 2 639 8 607 18 554 Murray-Wellington 5 824 415 85 1 232 1 374 8 713 1 643 143 216 19 645 Nedlands 3 098 233 131 2 754 8 889 4 449 19 554 Nollamara 9 427 863 2 459 5 678 18 427 North West 4 161 840 3 071 2 609 828 11 509 Ocean Reef 7 056 438 543 2 001 9 163 19 201 Perth 7 723 576 3 631 6 907 18 837 Pilbara 3 336 412 724 1 321 1 724 7 517 Riverton 7 722 652 548 2 037 8 002 403 19 364 Rockingham 9 559 318 2 432 6 371 18 680 Scarborough 5 622 400 223 2 338 8 374 1 707 18 664 South Perth 4 594 473 2 016 10 136 1 767 184 19 170 Southern River 8 119 534 648 2 149 9 382 20 832 Swan Hills 7 183 540 734 3 009 9 589 21 055 Vasse 4 427 967 3 653 11 306 20 353 Victoria Park 9 137 490 468 2 726 6 723 19 544 Wagin 1 839 677 163 615 3 254 11 17 703 Wanneroo 8 990 599 640 1 974 9 849 496 22 548 Warnbro 9 666 1 457 2 414 6 412 19 949 West Swan 8 612 872 1 676 7 017 483 18 660 Willagee 9 718 3 277 5 820 18 815
Total 390 339 28 079 1 161 21 204 129 827 418 208 53 086 Total IND 47 304 49 1 089 257
Proportion 35.84% 2.58% 0.11% 1.95% 11.92% 38.39% 4.87%Prop IND 4.34% 0.00% 100.00%
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Legislative Council The Legislative Council elects 36 members from six regions across Western Australia. Tables 6 and 7 show the political affiliations of the 170 nominated candidates and the 36 candidates elected. In 2008, seats were won by candidates affiliated with the Liberal Party, Australian Labor Party, The Nationals and the Greens (WA).
Table 6 Summary of nominated candidates by political party, Legislative Council (2008) Candidates Political party nominated Australian Labor Party 34 Christian Democratic Party 12 CITIZENS ELECTORAL COUNCIL 12 FAMILY FIRST 11 THE NATIONALS 17 New Country Party 3 ONE NATION 6 Greens (WA) 14 Liberal 34 Daylight Saving Party 5 Independent 20 No Party affiliation 2 Total 170
Table 7 Summary of seats won by political party, Legislative Council (2008) Seats Political party won Australian Labor Party 11 THE NATIONALS 5 Greens (WA) 4 Liberal 16 Total 36
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Types of votes by region – Perth metropolitan area
Table 8 (overleaf) shows the types of votes recorded for the Legislative Council by metropolitan region and district.
The North Metropolitan Region recorded the highest percentage of ordinary votes for a region with 78.02% (224,442). The East Metropolitan Region recorded the highest percentage of absent votes for a region with 10.16% (29,035) and the highest percentage of postal votes with 5.34% (15,274). The North Metropolitan and South Metropolitan Regions issued the highest percentage of early (in person) votes with 5.51% of the total votes. The East Metropolitan Region recorded the highest percentage of informal votes with 3.26% (9,319) of the total votes.
The district of Churchlands recorded the highest percentage of ordinary votes in a district with 81.14% (16,607) of the total votes. The Mount Lawley district recorded the highest percentage of absent votes with 12.64% (2,480), and the highest percentage of postal votes with 6.98% (1,369) of total votes. The district of Rockingham recorded the highest percentage of early (in person) votes with 11.13% (2,208). The highest percentage of informal votes was recorded in the district of Balcatta with 4.48% (906).
The overall average number of votes recorded for the 42 metropolitan districts was 20,535.
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Table 8 Types of votes in Perth metropolitan area, Legislative Council (2008) East Metropolitan Region
Early Early District Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal Total Votes % Ticket (by post) (in person) 1 Armadale 24 116 16 294 1 631 1 120 902 50 19 997 717 20 714 96.14% 2 Bassendean 23 098 16 051 1 910 926 598 39 19 524 760 20 284 95.49% 3 Belmont 22 109 14 318 1 932 1 201 762 14 18 227 726 18 953 95.74% 4 Darling Range 24 072 16 702 2 291 1 032 907 86 21 018 524 21 542 95.80% 5 Forrestfiel d 24 248 16 595 2 159 998 846 30 20 628 713 21 341 96.30% 6 Gosnells 22 511 15 460 1 485 1 057 826 21 18 849 723 19 572 96.54% 7 Kalamunda 23 516 15 733 2 305 1 256 788 36 20 118 504 20 622 95.73% 8 Maylands 23 265 15 257 2 144 1 056 647 24 19 128 633 19 761 94.67% 9 Midland 23 549 15 403 1 768 924 1 638 22 19 755 726 20 481 95.62% 10 Morley 23 480 16 669 1 802 1 067 626 40 20 204 704 20 908 96.71% 11 Mount Lawl ey 22 868 14 510 2 480 1 369 723 23 19 105 511 19 616 95.62% 12 Nollamara 23 570 14 913 2 439 1 205 574 28 19 159 890 20 049 95.55% 13 Swan Hills 24 779 17 215 2 199 1 168 988 23 21 593 555 22 148 95.99% 14 West Swan 22 369 15 299 2 490 895 588 14 19 286 633 19 919 96.52% Total 327 550 220 419 29 035 15 274 11 413 450 276 591 9 319 285 910 Percentage 77.09% 10.16% 5.34% 3.99% 0.16% 96.74% 3.26% 100.00% 95.89%
North Metropolitan Region
Early Early District Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal Total Votes % Ticket (by post) (in person) 1 Balcatta 23 365 15 585 1 960 932 798 24 19 299 906 20 205 96.54% 2 Carine 23 392 16 628 1 824 641 1 328 16 20 437 370 20 807 97.10% 3 Churchlands 23 397 16 607 1 776 671 1 012 15 20 081 387 20 468 95.60% 4 Cottesloe 24 035 15 886 1 938 627 1 829 9 20 289 348 20 637 96.08% 5 Girrawheen 22 854 15 212 1 797 1 049 624 26 18 708 842 19 550 96.17% 6 Hillarys 23 676 16 912 1 740 627 1 103 17 20 399 483 20 882 97.16% 7 Joondalup 22 945 15 516 1 713 799 1 122 26 19 176 560 19 736 97.00% 8 Kingsley 23 642 17 185 1 579 769 1 393 8 20 934 466 21 400 96.97% 9 Mindarie 23 613 15 578 1 831 1 139 989 30 19 567 612 20 179 97.32% 10 Nedlands 23 636 15 879 1 903 962 1 228 30 20 002 305 20 307 95.45% 11 Ocean Reef 23 045 15 879 1 827 871 1 128 13 19 718 480 20 198 97.10% 12 Perth 24 381 14 868 2 206 1 234 937 20 19 265 562 19 827 94.63% 13 Scarborough 23 420 14 668 2 187 1 257 1 094 8 19 214 449 19 663 96.41% 14 Wanneroo 26 745 18 039 2 493 1 318 1 278 18 23 146 658 23 804 97.30% Total 332 146 224 442 26 774 12 896 15 863 260 280 235 7 428 287 663 Percentage 78.02% 9.31% 4.48% 5.51% 0.09% 97.42% 2.58% 100.00% 96.50% South Metropolitan Region
Early Early District Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal Total Votes % Ticket (by post) (in person) 1 Alfred Cove 23 583 16 410 1 628 1 135 1 270 25 20 468 380 20 848 96.37% 2 Bateman 23 031 16 629 1 533 716 1 333 9 20 220 435 20 655 96.00% 3 Cannington 23 198 14 956 1 939 1 218 1 038 32 19 183 798 19 981 95.64% 4 Cockburn 24 439 16 843 1 901 848 912 31 20 535 849 21 384 96.77% 5 Fremantle 23 658 14 908 2 393 1 172 879 16 19 368 597 19 965 94.40% 6 Jandakot 24 177 16 771 2 320 1 193 854 14 21 152 525 21 677 96.54% 7 Kwinana 23 491 14 486 2 459 1 240 1 233 37 19 455 738 20 193 96.74% 8 Riverton 22 737 16 480 1 580 1 016 790 13 19 879 504 20 383 95.97% 9 Rockingham 22 903 14 023 1 658 1 308 2 208 26 19 223 611 19 834 97.07% 10 South Perth 23 522 15 799 1 991 730 1 061 11 19 592 436 20 028 95.54% 11 Southern River 24 632 17 146 2 228 1 135 1 000 24 21 533 603 22 136 97.01% 12 Victoria Park 24 201 15 349 2 320 1 285 960 33 19 947 623 20 570 95.08% 13 Warnbro 24 358 16 016 2 088 880 1 536 36 20 556 566 21 122 96.88% 14 Willagee 23 414 15 229 2 220 1 159 840 24 19 472 674 20 146 95.59% Total 331 344 221 045 28 258 15 035 15 914 331 280 583 8 339 288 922 Percentage 76.51% 9.78% 5.20% 5.51% 0.11% 97.11% 2.89% 100.00% 96.13%
Metropolitan Regions Summary
Early Early Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal Total Votes % Ticket (by post) (in person) Total 991 040 665 906 84 067 43 205 43 190 1 041 837 409 25 086 862 495 Percentage 77.21% 9.75% 5.01% 5.01% 0.12% 97.09% 2.91% 100.00% 96.18% *Does not include figures for absent, early and provisional votes rejected for not complying with the requirements of the Electoral Act 1907. Note: Prov. = Provisional Votes. By Post = Early Votes (by post). In Person = Early Votes (in person).
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Type of votes by region – country
Table 9 shows the types of votes recorded for the Legislative Council by country region and district.
The Agricultural Region recorded the highest percentage of ordinary votes for a region with 77.57% (57,996) and the highest percentage of absent votes for a region with 12.11% (9,057). The South West Region recorded the highest percentage of postal votes with 4.65% (7,347). The Mining and Pastoral Region had the highest percentage of early (in person) votes with 6.51% (3,652) of the total votes.
The district of Kimberley recorded the highest percentage of ordinary votes in a district with 82.42% (8,511) of the total votes. The district of Moore recorded the highest percentage of absent votes with 15.58% (3,048) of the total votes. Dawesville recorded the highest number of postal votes with 8.00% and the district of Kalgoorlie recorded the highest percentage of early (in person) votes with 8.71% (939) and the highest percentage of informal votes with 3.83% (413).
The overall average number of votes recorded for the 17 country districts was 16,999.
Table 9 Types of votes in country areas, Legislative Council (2008) Agricultural Region Early Early Total District Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal % Ticket (by post) (in person) Votes 1 Central Wh eatbelt 20 491 14 096 2 086 607 885 21 17 695 509 18 204 95.42% 2 Geraldton 21 399 15 056 1 539 607 1 038 8 18 248 447 18 695 95.34% 3 Moore 22 277 14 326 3 048 1 121 644 9 19 148 421 19 569 95.37% 4 Wagin 20 386 14 518 2 384 636 381 12 17 931 369 18 300 95.11% Total 84 553 57 996 9 057 2 971 2 948 50 73 022 1 746 74 768 Percentage 77.57% 12.11% 3.97% 3.94% 0.07% 97.66% 2.34% 100.00% 95.31% Mining and Pastoral Region Early Early Total District Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal % Ticket (by post) (in person) Votes 1 Eyre 17 798 11 550 1 382 516 928 15 14 391 499 14 890 95.35% 2 Kalgoorlie 14 138 7 991 1 053 364 939 20 10 367 413 10 780 95.76% 3 Kimberley 16 658 8 511 648 266 652 10 10 087 239 10 326 95.62% 4 North West 15 962 8 969 1 392 596 878 8 11 843 278 12 121 95.58% 5 Pilbara 11 449 6 230 956 260 255 20 7 721 232 7 953 95.91% Total 76 005 43 251 5 431 2 002 3 652 73 54 409 1 661 56 070 Percentage 77.14% 9.69% 3.57% 6.51% 0.13% 97.04% 2.96% 100.00% 95.61% South West Region Early Early Total District Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal % Ticket (by post) (in person) Votes 1 Albany 22 506 16 237 1 784 995 703 14 19 733 464 20 197 95.75% 2 Blackwood-Stirling 20 723 14 644 2 182 791 499 13 18 129 509 18 638 94.86% 3 Bunbury 20 917 14 038 1 558 956 1 292 25 17 869 546 18 415 96.08% 4 Collie-Presto n 23 869 16 961 2 112 700 1 282 16 21 071 550 21 621 95.82% 5 Dawesville 21 661 13 499 1 747 1 486 1 395 18 18 145 422 18 567 97.44% 6 Mandurah 21 101 13 768 1 538 972 1 491 13 17 782 574 18 356 97.36% 7 Murray-Wellington 23 775 16 370 2 467 657 949 9 20 452 621 21 073 96.65% 8 Vasse 24 249 16 728 2 082 790 1 218 0 20 818 464 21 282 94.49% Total 178 801 122 245 15 470 7 347 8 829 108 153 999 4 150 158 149 Percentage 77.30% 9.78% 4.65% 5.58% 0.07% 97.38% 2.62% 100.00% 96.03% Country Regions Summary Early Early Total Electors Ordinary Absent Prov. Total Valid Informal % Ticket (by post) (in person) Votes Total 339 359 223 492 29 958 12 320 15 429 231 281 430 7 557 288 987 Percentage 77.34% 10.37% 4.26% 5.34% 0.08% 97.39% 2.61% 100.00% 95.76% *Does not include figures for absent, early and provisional votes rejected for not complying with the requirements of the Electoral Act 1907. Note: Prov. = Provisional Votes. By Post = Early Votes (by post). In Person = Early Votes (in person).
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Current Sitting Members
Tables 10 and 11 show the lists of current sitting members in the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.
Legislative Assembly
Table 10 Current sitting members in the Legislative Assembly District Member Party Albany WATSON, Peter Australian Labor Party Alfred Cove WOOLLARD, Janet Independent Armadale Tony Buti4 Australian Labor Party Balcatta KOBELKE, John Australian Labor Party Bassendean WHITELY, Martin Australian Labor Party Bateman PORTER, Christian Liberal Belmont RIPPER, Eric Australian Labor Party Blackwood-Stirling REDMAN, Terry THE NATIONALS Bunbury CASTRILLI, John Liberal Cannington JOHNSTON, Bill1 Australian Labor Party Carine KRSTICEVIC, Tony1 Liberal Central Wheatbelt GRYLLS, Brendon THE NATIONALS Churchlands CONSTABLE, Elizabeth Independent Cockburn LOGAN, Francis Australian Labor Party Collie-Preston MURRAY, Mick Australian Labor Party Cottesloe BARNETT, Colin Liberal Darling Range SIMPSON, Tony Liberal Dawesville HAMES, Kim Liberal Eyre JACOBS, Graham Liberal Forrestfield WADDELL, Andrew1 Australian Labor Party Fremantle CARLES, Adele2 Independent Geraldton BLAYNEY, Ian1 Liberal Girrawheen QUIRK, Margaret Australian Labor Party Gosnells TALLENTIRE, Chris1 Australian Labor Party Hillarys JOHNSON, Rob Liberal Jandakot FRANCIS, Joe1 Liberal Joondalup O'GORMAN, Tony Australian Labor Party Kalamunda DAY, John Liberal Kalgoorlie BOWLER, John Independent Kimberley MARTIN, Carol Australian Labor Party Kingsley MITCHELL, Andrea1 Liberal Kwinana COOK, Roger1 Australian Labor Party Mandurah TEMPLEMAN, David Australian Labor Party Maylands BAKER, Lisa1 Australian Labor Party Midland ROBERTS, Michelle Australian Labor Party Mindarie QUIGLEY, John Australian Labor Party Moore WOODHAMS, Grant THE NATIONALS Morley BRITZA, Ian1 Liberal
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District Member Party Mount Lawley SUTHERLAND, Michael1 Liberal Murray-Wellington COWPER, Murray Liberal Nedlands MARMION, Bill1 Liberal Nollamara FREEMAN, Janine1 Australian Labor Party North West CATANIA, Vincent5 THE NATIONALS Ocean Reef JACOB, Albert1 Liberal Perth HYDE, John Australian Labor Party Pilbara STEPHENS, Tom Australian Labor Party Riverton NAHAN, Michael1 Liberal Rockingham McGOWAN, Mark Australian Labor Party Scarborough HARVEY, Liza1 Liberal South Perth McGRATH, John Liberal Southern River ABETZ, Peter1 Liberal Swan Hills ALBAN, Frank1 Liberal Vasse BUSWELL, Troy Liberal Victoria Park WYATT, Ben Australian Labor Party Wagin WALDRON, Terry THE NATIONALS Wanneroo MILES, Paul1 Liberal Warnbro PAPALIA, Paul Australian Labor Party West Swan SAFFIOTI, Rita1 Australian Labor Party Willagee TINLEY, Peter3 Australian Labor Party
Members are listed in district alphabetical order.
1 Members newly elected at the 2008 State general election.
2 Adele Carles was elected to replace Jim McGinty at the Fremantle by-election held Saturday, 16 May 2009 for the Greens (WA), but is now an Independent.
3 Peter Tinley was elected to replace Alan Carpenter at the Willagee by-election held Saturday, 28 November 2009.
4 Tony Buti was elected to replace Alannah MacTiernan at the Armadale by-election held Saturday, 2 October 2010.
5 Vince Catania was newly elected at the 2008 State general election for the Australian Labor Party, but is now a member of The Nationals.
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Legislative Council
Table 11 Current sitting members in the Legislative Council Region Member Party Agricultural Region TRENORDEN, Max THE NATIONALS ELLIS, Brian Liberal BENSON-LIDHOLM, Matt Australian Labor Party GARDINER, Philip1 THE NATIONALS CHOWN, James1 Liberal DAVIES, Mia1 THE NATIONALS East Metropolitan Region SAVAGE, Linda2 Australian Labor Party MORTON, Helen Liberal RAVLICH, Ljiljanna Australian Labor Party FARAGHER, Donna Liberal HAYDEN, Alyssa1 Liberal XAMON, Alison1 Greens Mining and Pastoral Region FORD, Jon Australian Labor Party MOORE, Norman Liberal DUNCAN, Wendy THE NATIONALS BULLOCK, Helen1 Australian Labor Party BASTON, Ken Liberal CHAPPLE, Robin1 Greens North Metropolitan Region COLLIER, Peter Liberal TRAVERS, Ken Australian Labor Party MISCHIN, Michael1 Liberal DERMER, Ed Australian Labor Party BEHJAT, Liz1 Liberal WATSON, Giz Greens South Metropolitan Region ELLERY, Sue Australian Labor Party O'BRIEN, Simon Liberal DOUST, Kate Australian Labor Party GOIRAN, Nick1 Liberal EDMAN, Phil1 Liberal MacLAREN, Lynn1 Greens South West Region McSWEENEY, Robyn Liberal TALBOT, Sally Australian Labor Party HALLETT, Nigel Liberal FARINA, Adele Australian Labor Party HOLT, Colin1 THE NATIONALS HOUSE, Barry Liberal
Members are listed in order of election
1 Members newly elected at the 2008 State general election
2 Linda Rosemary Savage was elected as a member of the Legislative Council to fill the vacancy in the East Metropolitan region following the death of the Hon. John (Jock) Rilday Ferguson MLC.
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Who’s Who at the Election
Role of the Returning Officer
Returning Officers are staff appointed by the Electoral Commissioner to conduct an election for a particular district or region.
Returning Officers receive specialised training in the management of elections and guidance and mentoring from the Commission. Duties of Returning Officers include:
managing the election locally ensuring the integrity of the election ensuring the needs of electors are served liaising with candidates and scrutineers having knowledge of the Electoral Act and other relevant legislation arranging the establishment of polling places receiving nominations conducting the draw for the position of candidates’ names on the ballot paper appointing polling place staff arranging and coordinating the count of votes on election night conducting a fresh scrutiny of votes cast within 48 hours of poll close conducting a full distribution of preference count declaring results.
Role of the Electoral Commissioner and Commission staff
The Electoral Commissioner is Mr Warwick Gately AM.
The Deputy Electoral Commissioner is Mr Chris Avent.
The Electoral Commissioner is appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Premier who consults with the Parliamentary Leader of each party in the Parliament.
The Electoral Commissioner is the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Electoral Commission and is responsible for the proper conduct of elections in accordance with the Electoral Act 1907.
Commission staff assist the Electoral Commissioner to fulfil the requirement to deliver impartial, effective and timely elections. A State general election requires significant planning and administrative processes to be in place well before polling day.
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Responsibilities of Commission staff include:
management and production of the State Electoral Roll establishment of an effective nominations process registration of political parties identification of possible polling places and early voting options for electors who cannot vote on polling day production and printing of election materials including guides, manuals, ballot papers and advertisements production or procurement of assistive technologies or tools for electors with a specific need recruitment and training of casual staff management of customer enquiries, including establishment of call centre and email enquiry services establishment of a counting centre and proper procedures to count the votes and finalise results development and maintenance of an election website.
Role of casual staff
During a State general election a large temporary casual workforce is engaged to conduct the election. Over 7,500 people are expected to be employed in mobile polling and on polling day.
Polling staff will work to assist electors on polling day in:
ensuring the polling place is operational during the required hours of voting and electors are able to cast their vote in secret and free from interference marking elector names off the electoral roll issuing ballot papers providing extra assistance when asked managing the count of ballot papers at the close of polling and contacting the Returning Officer with the results returning ballot papers and materials to the Returning Officer.
Other staff are engaged from other government authorities across Western Australia, interstate Electoral Commissions and selected overseas locations to provide an early voting option to electors who cannot vote at a polling place on polling day.
To establish and verify the final results, casual staff will be employed through a recruitment agency to work at the Count Centre in the two weeks after polling day.
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Polling place staff
There are many different staff who work in a polling place to make polling day run smoothly including:
Polling place manager
sets up the polling place supervision of staff and the count meets with party workers and Scrutineers allocates ballot papers and materials decides on ballot paper formality reports results to the Returning Officer.
Ordinary issuing officer
assesses the eligibility of electors issues ballot papers to electors voting within their district.
Declaration issuing officer
issues absent votes to electors who are voting outside of their district issues provisional votes to electors where there is uncertainty of their enrolment.
Ballot box guard
directs electors to the ballot box monitors the security of ballot boxes.
Queue controller
manages the flow of electors in a polling place.
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What’s New for 2013
Fixed election date
Legislation passed in 2011 has fixed the date for conjoint elections (for both Houses of Parliament) as the second Saturday in March every four years beginning in 2013.
Therefore, this State general election is to be held on Saturday, 9 March 2013.
Previously in Western Australia the Legislative Council only had fixed terms and the Legislative Assembly was elected for up to four years commencing from the date of its first meeting following a general election.
The last State general election was held on Saturday, 6 September 2008.
The following State general election is due to be held on Saturday, 11 March 2017.
Revised electoral boundaries
Revised electoral boundaries apply for this State general election.
A review of electoral boundaries is required as soon as practicable two years after polling day following a State general election. This process involves the drawing of electoral boundaries in line with local changes in elector numbers. The review ensures that the number of electors in each district is approximately equal and within permissible limits.
The final boundaries that apply for this State general election were published on 10 October 2011 following a public review and consultation process. More information about these boundaries can be found at www.boundaries.wa.gov.au.
Vote Assist
The Commission has developed a computer-based application, ‘Vote Assist’, to allow voters who are blind or vision impaired to cast a secret vote.
In previous elections, people who were blind or vision impaired have cast their vote with the assistance of a carer, friend, relative or polling place official. Vote Assist will minimise the need for assistance from another person and the elector will be able to cast their vote independently.
Voters will hear voting instructions and choices through headphones and will be able to cast their vote for both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council using a numeric keypad.
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Vote Assist is available for early voting (in person) and on polling day at the following locations:
Perth Western Australian Electoral Commission Ground floor foyer (Bank of Queensland building) 111 St Georges Terrace, Perth Victoria Park Association for the Blind of WA Guide Dog Discovery Centre 61 Kitchener Avenue, Victoria Park
To check the opening times for early voting (in person) locations with Vote Assist, see the election website.
On polling day, Vote Assist will also be available at these polling places:
Armadale Greendale Centre 12 Coombe Avenue, Armadale Mandurah Royal Australian Air Force Association (RAAFA) Estate Recreation Centre 41 Portrush Parade, Meadow Springs Morley Mirrabooka Senior High School 180 Nollamara Avenue, Dianella
Audio loops
Audio loops are being trialled at this election at selected polling places. Only people who have a hearing or listening device, such as a hearing aid, can use the audio loop.
Audio loops work to enhance the sound of a person speaking to the person with the hearing aid.
The hearing or listening aid will need to be switched to ‘T’ to use the audio loop. Polling places with audio loops are advertised with the symbol of access for hearing loss.
Personalised EasyVote card
The Commission has developed an EasyVote card that will be mailed to all enrolled electors in Western Australia in the weeks prior to polling day.
This card is designed to make voting easier and quicker. It lists an elector’s enrolled address, electoral district and electoral region. A tear-off card is attached to the EasyVote material which electors can take to a polling place to help polling staff identify an individual and locate them on the electoral roll quickly.
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The EasyVote material also provides other useful information including early voting options, polling place locations and information in other languages.
Elector Recording System
An Elector Recording System (ERS) has been developed and will be despatched to selected voting centres on 550 netbooks. ERS will be used extensively in early voting centres, in the polling places of three entire districts for roll marking of absent and ordinary voters and in polling places where absent votes are significant.
By connecting through wireless communication to a central copy of the State Electoral Roll, ERS will:
identify electors who have already voted or been issued a postal vote reduce the risk of a voter being marked off the roll more than once reduce the manual tasks and time needed for reconciling and processing of rolls at the end of the election day reduce the amount of time required to process absent votes prior to them being included in the count process facilitate the monitoring of ballot papers issued by election administrators at ERS equipped polling places.
Training
The Commission has placed greater emphasis on the use of different types of training based upon feedback received in past elections. Introducing video and online resources, in addition to user friendly manuals, enables greater access and ease of use of election related education materials. Managers at polling places will still receive face to face training to ensure that stakeholders in the election process are receiving the best possible service.
Additional Perth Airport polling places
To assist those electors who will be working in remote locations or who will be travelling outside Western Australia on polling day, additional early voting (in person) locations will be available at Perth’s domestic and international airport terminals for this State election. These locations will also be open for extended hours (within airport terminals’ usual business hours). A list of all early voting (in person) locations and opening times is available on the election website.
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Advertising
Advertising for this State general election is focussing on increasing enrolment and voter participation in two key age groups: 20–29 years and 18–44 years, which have been identified as being the most under-represented sub-groups on the State Electoral Roll. To effectively target these audiences, advertising is moving to take advantage of new media (such as online and social media) which have higher potential reach for these groups and are cost effective.
Advertising is being undertaken by the Commission for the State election in two parts, an enrolment drive and a voting campaign. The theme for both phases is “You’re the Voice” supported by the slogan “Make Your Voice Heard”.
Radio Three radio advertisements have been aired in two phases on local commercial radio stations encouraging people to enrol to vote for the upcoming State election. Country and Indigenous radio stations have been specifically targeted to reach rural and remote communities.
TV Two television advertisements featuring local talent have been launched and will be screened on different free-to-air channels prior to polling day to encourage enrolment and voting.
Television advertisements will also be shown in cinemas and will be available for viewing on YouTube and Facebook.
Print Statutory advertising will be printed in the daily paper.
Advertising targeting country electors will be printed in regional and rural newspapers, including publications related to Wagin Woolorama, a large regional event that will be held in Wagin on polling day. Advertising will also be printed in magazines targeting FIFO workers.
Posters will be placed in selected metropolitan bus stops (AdShel), particularly in areas with lower levels of enrolment and voting.
Online Display banner advertising on popular websites and online television (catch up TV) advertising is anticipated to reach a more diverse audience of internet users, specifically targeting new voters and non-voters. Display banners targeting culturally and linguistically diverse people have been produced in a range of different languages.
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Social media Three social media sites have been set up to create online, interactive communication pathways for the Commission under ‘WAElections’: Facebook Twitter YouTube.
Media All advertising activities are heavily supported by promotion through the media. Regular media releases, newspaper, radio and television coverage surrounding the activities of the Commission leading up to the State election increases the reach of advertising and supports advertising goals of increased enrolment and voter participation. Related media coverage links into social media by providing content and stimulating discussion. This publicity also supports the broader communications goals of the Commission.
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Enrolment The election website provides information for electors on enrolling, updating their details and the eligibility criteria for a range of special enrolment provisions. Electors can also download forms and check their enrolment status.
Compulsory enrolment
Electoral enrolment is compulsory for all Western Australians who:
are aged 18 years and over are Australian citizens (or a British subject who was on the roll between 26 October 1983 and 25 January 1984) have lived at their current address for at least one month.
Electors who are aged 17 years can provisionally enrol. However, they can only vote if they will be 18 years of age on or before polling day.
To enrol to vote for Commonwealth, State and Local government elections electors need to be eligible and complete a single enrolment form.
Close of the State Electoral Roll
The electoral roll for the State general election closes at 6.00pm on Thursday, 14 February 2013. Completed enrolment forms must be received by the Commission by this time, for electors to be included on the electoral roll for the State general election.
Confirming enrolment
The Commission has a check your enrolment tool on the election website. Using an elector’s key personal data, this tool can be used to confirm an elector’s Federal, State and Local government enrolment status, ensuring electors are aware of their enrolment status and are able to cast a valid vote at the State general election.
Special category enrolment
Electors may be eligible for a special category of enrolment dependent on their circumstance. This includes:
electors who do not want to have their address published on the publicly available roll due to security concerns itinerants, including homeless people or those in transitional accommodation overseas electors prisoners.
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Key enrolment figures
1,367,532 were enrolled at the close of enrolments on 6 September 2010 for the 2011 review of electoral boundaries. This represented 23,178 electors for each of the 59 districts. The number of electors enrolled for the 2013 State general election will be confirmed after the electoral roll has closed, in the week commencing 18 February 2013. Enrolment statistics by State, region and district will be made available on the election website shortly after the electoral roll has closed.
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Nominations
Candidate nominations
Nominations can only occur within a specific period for the State general election to be held on Saturday, 9 March 2013. Nominations may be lodged from Thursday, 7 February 2013. Party nominations close at the Commission at 12 noon on Thursday, 14 February 2013. Individual candidate nominations close with Returning Officers at 12 noon on Friday, 15 February 2013.
To nominate, candidates must submit a written nomination and a deposit of $250.00.
Once the Commission has processed all candidate nominations a full list of candidates and their districts and party affiliations will be available for viewing on the election website. More information on the nominations process, including forms and key dates, is also available.
Ballot paper draws
The order of names on the ballot paper is decided by a draw. The order in which the names are drawn from the ballot box is the order in which they will appear on the ballot paper. The draw for ballot paper positions occurs immediately following the close of nominations at the Place of Declaration of Nominations. These locations are available on the election website.
Candidate eligibility
There are certain criteria that must be met by candidates wishing to nominate for a position within Western Australia’s State Parliament.
Qualifications for membership of State Parliament
To be eligible to take up a seat in the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council, the following qualifications apply:
the candidate must have resided in Western Australia for one year the candidate must have reached the age of 18 the candidate must not be subject to any legal incapacity the candidate must be an elector entitled to vote at an election of a member of the Legislative Assembly the candidate must be an Australian citizen.
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Disqualifications for membership of State Parliament
If any one of the following circumstances exists, the candidate will be disqualified from taking up a seat in either House of State Parliament:
the candidate is an undischarged bankrupt, or a debtor against whose estate there is a subsisting receiving order in bankruptcy the candidate has been convicted on indictment of an offence for which the indictable penalty was or included imprisonment for life or imprisonment for more than five years the candidate has been attainted of treason the candidate is serving or is yet to serve a sentence or sentences of detention (imposed under the Young Offenders Act 1994 or the Child Welfare Act 1947), or imprisonment the candidate is serving or is yet to serve indefinite imprisonment imposed under Part 14 of the Sentencing Act 1995 the candidate is subject to an order under s279(5)(b) of the Criminal Code the candidate is subject to an order under s19(6a)(a), 661 or 662 of the Criminal Code (these sections have since been repealed) the candidate is, or is taken to be, a mentally impaired accused as defined in the Criminal Law (Mentally Impaired Accused) Act 1996 the candidate is a holder of a senior public office specified in Part 1 of Schedule V of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 the candidate is a member of the Commonwealth Parliament, a Territory Parliament or another State Parliament the candidate is a member of the other House of Western Australia's Parliament the candidate holds an office or place in the service of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth or another State of the Commonwealth or in the service of the government of, or any department or agency of the government of, the Commonwealth or a Territory or another State of the Commonwealth and that office or place has not been exempted under section 36 of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 the candidate holds an office as a member of any commission, council, board, committee, authority, trust or other body, and was appointed as such a member by the Crown in right of the Commonwealth or another State of the Commonwealth, or by the government of, or any department or agency of the government of, the Commonwealth or a Territory or another State of the Commonwealth and that office or place has not been exempted under section 36 of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899; the candidate is a holder of any office or place specified in Part 2 of Schedule V of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 (not being an office also specified in Part 1 of Schedule V of the Act) and does not vacate the office or place upon his or her election to State Parliament (includes State Police, Teachers, Public Servants and various others); the candidate is a member of any commission, council, board, committee, authority, trust or other body specified in Part 3 of Schedule V and does not vacate the office or place upon his or her election to State Parliament
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the candidate is of unsound mind the candidate is the holder of a temporary entry permit for the purposes of the Migration Act 1958, of the Parliament of the Commonwealth as amended from time to time, or is a prohibited immigrant under that Act.
Note: Holders of dual citizenship are not disqualified from nomination if they are otherwise qualified.
Political party registration
Political parties are eligible for registration if they have at least 500 members who are electors and have a constitution that specifies as one of its objects or activities the promotion of the election to the Parliament of the State of a candidate or endorsed candidates. Members may include members of related parties when one is part of the other or both are parts of the same political party.
Current registered political parties in Western Australia
The Commission currently has seven registered political parties in Western Australia.
Table 12 Current list of registered political parties in Western Australia Registered name Ballot paper abbreviation Australian Christians (WA) Australian Christians Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch) WA Labor Family First WA Party Family First National Party of Australia (WA) Inc THE NATIONALS Shooters and Fishers WA Inc Shooters and Fishers The Greens (WA) Inc The Greens (WA) The Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division) Inc Liberal Party
This information is correct as at Wednesday, 6 February 2013. Please check the election website for any possible updates.
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Voting
Voting is compulsory
Voting is compulsory at State elections in Western Australia for enrolled electors. If electors do not vote or provide a sufficient reason for not voting, they may be fined.
Voting is an important part of Western Australia’s democratic system and election time gives the community the opportunity to have their say.
The Commission aims to make it as convenient as possible for electors to vote. Full information on voting options, including early voting and voting on polling day is available on the election website.
Early voting
A number of early voting options are available to eligible electors from Wednesday, 20 February 2013.
Electors may cast an early vote in a number of ways:
in person at an early voting location. They are located across metropolitan and country Western Australia, at interstate electoral commissions and selected overseas locations by postal ballot, after completing a postal vote application form or if the elector has previously registered as a general early voter by voting through mobile polling team visits. Mobile polling teams visit remote areas, selected hospitals, institutions and aged care facilities.
Polling day
Polling places will be open from 8.00am–6.00pm on polling day. The Commission expects 795 polling places to be operational across Western Australia.
Polling places are listed on the election website, with interactive tools to help electors find their most convenient polling place.
Polling place staff are available to help with any enquiries or assistance needs on polling day.
EasyVote cards
EasyVote cards are scheduled to be mailed to all electors within Western Australia between 20 February and 28 February 2013. They provide electors with key information about the election, including the date of the election, location of local polling places and opening times, and information on how to cast a valid vote. The EasyVote cards are also designed to make it easier for polling place staff to identify electors on the State Electoral Roll.
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Voting process
Upon entering a polling place, electors are directed to an issuing officer.
The issuing officer will ask an elector for their full name and address and if the elector has voted before in the election. They will then look up the elector on the electoral roll. If the elector’s name is found, they will be marked off the electoral roll. If an elector cannot be found and they believe they are eligible to vote, they will be directed to speak to another polling official and may be issued a provisional or absent vote.
Electors are then issued with two ballot papers, one each for the relevant Legislative Assembly district and Legislative Council region.
When casting a vote, electors:
proceed alone to a vacant voting screen read the instructions on the ballot paper complete the ballot papers as instructed fold the ballot paper to conceal their vote put each ballot paper separately in the appropriate ballot box.
Seeking assistance
It is the right of every elector to cast their vote in an environment which provides for a secret and independent ballot.
However, electors may seek assistance at any time from a polling official.
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Enhancing Access to Voting
The Commission is committed to ensuring that all people within the community are given the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and to access the Commission’s services. Significant steps have been taken to implement services and processes that enable better access for those in the community with specific needs.
The Commission provides a network of polling places throughout the State on election day, as well as early voting locations prior to election day and the option of postal voting, to enable all electors to fulfil their right and obligation to vote.
In addition, the Commission provides a number of services and options to assist electors to vote, in consideration of their individual circumstances.
The Commission’s election website provides up to date information on the services and tools available to electors, to help facilitate the casting of a formal vote.
Electors with a disability
The Commission incorporates many aspects of its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2012–2016 into practical initiatives during election time. The following are available for the State general election:
Wheelchair accessible polling places — a minimum of one per electoral district. Drive in polling places — where electors can vote from the comfort of their car at a number of metropolitan locations. Vote Assist — a new initiative where electors who are blind or vision impaired are able to cast a completely secret and independent vote. To use the system, electors will hear voting instructions through headphones. They will be able to cast their vote for both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council using a numeric keypad. Assistive tools at polling places — including video magnifiers, audio loops, better hearing cards, magnifying sheets, triangular pencils, desktop voting screens and an information person to assist at larger polling places. Mobile polling — prior to polling day, the Commission will visit many hospitals and selected institutions such as nursing homes, aged care facilities and retirement homes to provide electors the opportunity to vote without having to leave the premises. Registration as a general early voter — in some circumstances, electors with an ongoing disability may be eligible to apply for registration as a general early voter. This means that ballot papers are automatically posted to registered electors after the election has been announced and ballot papers have been printed.
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Information for carers — the Commission is committed to ensuring that carers are provided with every opportunity to vote at election time and also that they are provided with information to ensure those that they are caring for can participate in the electoral process if they are able to do so. Carers may be eligible to be general early voters or seek assistance at polling places for those they care for and themselves. Assistance for electors — carers, relatives, friends and polling place staff at voting locations are able to accompany and assist voters to complete their ballot papers. Carers or electors with a disability should not hesitate to ask for assistance if required. Electors with limited mobility — if an elector is unable to enter a polling place due to a disability or limited mobility, upon request, a polling official can take the ballot papers to the elector (close to the polling place) for them to complete. The polling official, or another person, can also provide the elector with assistance to complete the ballot papers if required.
Indigenous electors
The Commission has adopted the following strategies and initiatives aimed at assisting Indigenous electors:
Remote mobile polling — mobile polling teams visit a number of remote towns and communities that will not have a polling place on polling day. Polling places in remote communities — the Commission will provide a polling service to larger communities for a longer period of time and where possible, on polling day. Talking Boards — the Commission intends to install talking boards at several communities in the lead up to the election. Talking boards are posters that have a local dialect audio message embedded in them, which are activated by pressing a button. Local language assistants/ or interpreters — polling staff will wear stickers identifying the languages other than English that they are able to speak. They will then be able to provide assistance to electors in that language.
As a mark of respect and to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as traditional custodians of the land, the Commission will continue to display Acknowledgment of Traditional Owners posters at polling places across the State on polling day.
Electors with English as Second Language
The Commission has adopted the following strategies and initiatives aimed at assisting electors who speak English as a Second Language:
Interpreter service — the Commission utilises the Commonwealth Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). Multilingual guide — the multilingual guide is available on the election website and in every polling place. The guide provides information in 25 selected languages on how to complete ballot papers.
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Polling place staff — polling staff will wear stickers identifying the languages other than English that they are able to speak. They will be able to provide assistance to electors in that language.
Overseas electors
The Commission recognises that not all electors will be in the State to vote on polling day. The Commission has options for those electors going interstate or overseas.
Early voting is available from Wednesday, 20 February 2013. Where time permits, electors can vote early in Western Australia in person or by postal vote. Electors can also vote at a number of interstate and international locations.
If electors will be overseas for an extended period, they may apply to be removed from the State Electoral Roll.
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Voting Systems
Voting system for the Legislative Assembly
Candidates are elected to the Legislative Assembly through full preferential voting. This is a system whereby a candidate must poll an absolute majority of the total formal votes (in excess of 50%) in order to be elected.
This system is characterised by the elector numbering all squares on the ballot paper in order of preference. The ballot paper markings should clearly reflect the elector’s intention.
If, after all first preference votes have been counted, no candidate has obtained an absolute majority of all formal votes, then the candidate with the fewest number of first preference votes is excluded from the count. The excluded candidate’s second preference votes are then distributed to the remaining candidates.
If, after that exclusion, no candidate has obtained an absolute majority of formal votes, the next candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and all of his or her votes (second preferences and those received from the previously excluded candidate) are distributed to the remaining candidates.
The process is continued until one candidate is elected by obtaining an absolute majority of formal votes.
Voting system for the Legislative Council
Proportional representation is the voting system used in multi-member electorates such as the Western Australian Legislative Council.
On the Legislative Council ballot paper, electors can choose to complete a ticket vote or a candidate preference vote. A ticket vote requires an elector to place a number ‘1’ in the box of the political party or candidate group of their choice on the left side of the ballot paper. All other boxes are left blank. Preferences are then distributed according to those of the elector’s chosen party or group. A candidate preference vote requires an elector to number all the boxes on the right hand side of the ballot paper in order of preference for each candidate. Preferences are distributed as chosen by the elector.
To be successful, a candidate is required to receive enough votes to reach a quota (not an absolute majority) which is calculated based on the number of formal votes and the number of candidates to be elected:
If no candidate achieves a quota based on the count of first preferences shown, the candidate with the least number of votes is excluded and their votes redistributed according to the second preference shown. This process is repeated until a candidate reaches a quota.
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Candidates who receive a number of votes equal to or greater than the quota are elected immediately. Any votes received by elected candidates which are surplus to the quota are transferred to the remaining candidates at a reduced value known as a transfer value.
Counting the votes
On election night, hundreds of polling place managers (in their capacity as assistant Returning Officers) will sort and count all ordinary votes taken during the day at their polling place. These figures are forwarded to their district Returning Officer, including the first preference count for each candidate contesting that Legislative Assembly seat, a two candidate preferred count (i.e. a notional distribution) and for the Legislative Council, the first preference party, group or independent candidate votes.
Returning Officers will compile numbers before sending them to the Commission for posting to the election website and forwarding to media outlets that will be taking a live data feed. These progressively updated indicative results are what candidates, parties and the Western Australian community see on election night. The Commission will also provide some voting results data for the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council as counting of early votes (in person and by post) proceeds at the Count Centre.
It should be noted that the Commission reserves the right not to post notional distribution results to the internet where there is a close three-way contest or a candidate not selected for the notional distribution count (as advised by polling place managers) proves to attract more votes than expected.
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Electoral District Profiles
Western Australia is divided into 59 electoral districts for the Legislative Assembly, each electing one member (59 in total) and six regions for the Legislative Council, each electing six members (36 in total).
The Commission produces information about electoral districts. District profiles may be useful to candidates and parties for campaigning purposes and to the media for reporting on certain districts or electors wanting to learn about their district.
District profiles provide the following information about districts and regions:
area suburbs in the district local governments Returning Officers candidates (after nominations close) enrolment statistics Basic Community Profiles based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census of Population and Housing data other regional information.
District profiles can be accessed on the election website at www.elections.wa.gov.au. Additional information is also available from the Parliamentary Library of Western Australia.
An elector can check which electoral district they are enrolled in using the Commission’s check your enrolment tool on the election website.
Many electoral districts have changed since the 2008 State general election following the 2011 review of electoral boundaries.
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2011 Electoral Distribution
The 2011 Electoral Distribution was completed on 10 October 2011 when details of the division of the State were published in the Government Gazette. Following is an explanation of why electoral distributions are held and a description of the outcome.
What is an electoral distribution?
An electoral distribution is the drawing of electoral boundaries in line with local changes in elector numbers. The process ensures that no electorate becomes too large or too small. An electoral distribution is also known as a division of the State.
Why do we have electoral distributions?
We have electoral distributions to ensure that the number of electors in each district is within the acceptable range at each election. It is necessary to review the boundaries to take account of the rise and fall in elector numbers in each district.
When are electoral distributions held?
Electoral distributions now commence as soon as practicable two years after polling day following each State general election.
How long does the electoral distribution take to complete?
The formal process takes approximately seven months from the time the call for written suggestions is made. The timetable is set out in legislation once the call for written suggestions is made.
Who conducts the electoral distribution?
Three Electoral Distribution Commissioners are prescribed under the Electoral Act 1907 to conduct the distribution. For the 2011 Electoral Distribution, they were:
Former Supreme Court Judge, Mr Neville Owen Electoral Commissioner – Mr Warwick Gately AM Government Statistician – Ms Gillian Nicoll
The Western Australian Electoral Commission provides administrative support to the Commissioners.
What is the average district enrolment?
A snapshot of the electoral roll is taken at a particular point in time to form a basis to determine the number of people to be included in each district. This is known as the average district enrolment for the purposes of the distribution. It does not affect any elector’s enrolment or their entitlement to vote in State elections. The average district enrolment for the 2011 Electoral Distribution was determined on 6 September 2010.
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What are the steps in the electoral distribution process?
Part IIA of the Electoral Act 1907 defines the conduct of the electoral distribution after the determination of the average district enrolment. It is a five step process.
STEP 1 is the publication of an invitation to lodge written suggestions within a 30-day period, after which these suggestions are made available for viewing.
STEP 2 is a 14-day period during which written comments on these suggestions may be made.
STEP 3 is a 42-day period during which the Electoral Distribution Commissioners prepare and publish the proposed boundaries.
STEP 4 is a 30-day period during which written objections to the proposed boundaries may be lodged.
STEP 5 is a 90-day period during which the Electoral Distribution Commissioners consider objections and publish the final distribution in the Government Gazette.
When do the new boundaries take effect?
The new boundaries take effect at this State general election, Saturday, 9 March 2013.
Viewing the new boundaries
To view the new boundaries or learn more about the boundaries process visit www.boundaries.wa.gov.au.
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Further Information
There are many ways to contact the Commission for further information:
General enquiries can be made to [email protected]
Media enquiries can be directed to [email protected]
Phone
Call the Election Line on 13 63 06 or (08) 9214 0400, 8.00am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Western Australian Electoral Commission GPO Box F316 PERTH WA 6841
In Person
The Western Australian Electoral Commission is located at Level 2, 111 St Georges Terrace, Perth, and is open between 8.30am and 5.00pm.
Fax
(08) 9226 0577
National Relay Services
133 677 and then ask for (08) 9214 0400
Website www.elections.wa.gov.au
Facebook www.facebook.com/waelections
Twitter www.twitter.com/waelections
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