2021 State General Election ELECTION REPORT elections.wa.gov.au Contents Foreword 2 Telephone Assisted Voting/Vote Assist 22 Telephone Assisted Voting (TAV) 22 2021 WA State election at a glance 3 Vote Assist (VA) 22 2021 State General Election Timetable 4 Legislative Council Count 22 Electoral Environment 5 Results 23 Electoral Boundaries 5 Centralised Results Reporting 23 Legislative Changes 5 Election Night Results Transmission 23 Participation 6 Results Website 23 Enrolment 6 Legislative Assembly 24 Party Registration 7 Total Votes Counted 25 Election Planning 8 Ballot Paper Formality 25 Project Management Methodology 8 Legislative Council 26 COVID-19 Pandemic Management 8 Post Election Procedures 27 Recruitment and training 9 Return of the Writ 27 Systems development 9 Apparent Non-Voters and Polling Place/ Early Voting Centre Multiple Voters 27 Allocation 10 Political Finance 27 Elector and Candidate Services 11 Agents 27 Strategy and Service Commitments 11 Election-related disclosure 28 Elector Voting Options 11 Annual disclosure 28 Other Elector Services 11 Public funding 28 Electors with a Disability 11 Resource Allocation 28 Services to CALD Electors 12 Performance Review 29 Services to Indigenous Electors 12 Key Performance Indicators 29 Call Centre 13 Election Preparations 29 Communications 14 Election Conduct 30 Advertising 14 Election Outcomes 30 Email and SMS Elector 16 Post-Election Review 31 Political and Candidate Liaison 16 Future priorities 32 Media Liaison 16 A New Electoral Act 32 A Pivot to an Election Period 32 The Election 17 Nominations 17 Political Party Representation 18 Legislative Council Voting Tickets 19 Voting 19 Ballot Paper Production 19 Early Voting in Person 20 Mobile Polling 21 Postal Voting 21 1 2021 State General Election Election Report Foreword Given the peculiarities of the past 18 months it Pushed by the Commission’s COVID-safe election is pleasing that the 2021 State General Election strategy electors embraced early voting in person was conducted with minimal disruption or with an increase of 160% from 2017. In total 55% complaint and the citizens of Western Australia of eligible electors voted early either in person were provided with an electoral outcome that or by post. Postal voting similarly rose (+85.4%) was impartial, safe, accurate and accountable. although frustrations from rural, remote, overseas, This is in no small part thanks to the efforts of all interstate, and late electors remain, with the of the Commission’s staff; the small but extremely Commission receiving ballot papers after the dedicated permanent team as well as the huge legislated cut off for postal ballots. and enthusiastic temporary workforce who help In order to provide many options for electors the bring it all together. The election was described Commission leased or utilised over 800 early as the biggest single event in Western Australia and polling day locations. This created additional in 2021 and this description oversimplifies the costs but supported the Commission’s approach enormous planning and logistical effort that went to elector safety in the COVID-19 environment. into its success. While COVID-19 forced some creative solutions it This does not mean there were not challenges also highlighted the shortcomings of an outdated or disappointments but before discussing those piece of legislation under which the Commission I did not want to forget or detract from a very must conduct electoral operations. The ongoing successful electoral event for the Commission. challenge for past and present Electoral As the reality of a global pandemic was assessed Commissioners has been to adapt or interpret by Commission staff in March 2020, planning provisions designed for a different time. commenced on a COVID-safe election strategy. The strategy was designed to spread the usual On a pleasing note informality rates continued concentration of electors from one day to their downward trend, particularly in districts fourteen possible voting days. The Commission with traditionally higher numbers. The success of received excellent support and advice from health the Commission’s Electoral Ambassador program and public safety experts to ensure Western using representatives from culturally and Australians had as many options as possible to linguistically diverse communities to educate and exercise their franchise. inform electors is clearly having a positive impact. In 2021 this was expanded to include Aboriginal With enrolment levels at an all-time high in Electoral Ambassadors which the Commission Western Australia the average voter turnout intends to continue and hopefully expand rate was disappointingly down compared to between elections. recent elections. This was not unexpected given concerns over COVID and the unique nature of My thanks once more to the proud, enthusiastic, the political elements of the election campaign. and tired staff who helped deliver democracy The pandemic affected the Commission’s ability to Western Australia in 2021 and now the to provide voting services to some traditional work begins on making the experience even communities of electors including aged better in 2025. care facilities, hospitals, prisons, and remote communities. This occurred either by mutual agreement that Commission staff would not attend in person (to minimise infection risks) or through reduced numbers of electors presenting Robert Kennedy to vote at those institutions. Electoral Commissioner 2 2021 State General Election Election Report 2021 WA State election at a glance The People 59 6 4 6 District Region Reserve/ Returning Officer Returning Officers Returning Officers Deputy ROs Liaison Officers 6,927 758 1,680 19 Polling Early Voting Count Centre Other Staff Centre Staff Contractors contract staff Enrolment Voter Turnout Enrolment Enrolment Participation Voter Turnout Rate 85.5% 1,716,732 96.6% Voted Early 55% Assisted Voting Formality 1,847 Informality - LA Telephone Assisted Voting 3.76% 36 Informality - LC 1.95% Vote Assist Voting Candidates 2017 2021 879,816 Ordinary votes cast 558,218 ← ← Registered Parties 19 222,218 Early in person votes 585,234 Candidates - LA 463 ← 116,729 Postal votes 216,457 Candidates - LC 325 Absent votes 155,319 102,152 ← Locations 736 70 170 Polling places Early Voting Centres Special & Remotes 3 2021 State General Election Election Report 2021 State General Election Timetable WED ISSUE OF WRITS FEB 3 THU Nominations & Applications for 4 Postal Vote Open THU THU 11 ROLL CLOSE 11 Party Nominations Close (12 noon) FRI CLOSE OF NOMINATIONS 12 noon & Draw for Ballot MON 12 Paper positions 15 Voting Tickets Lodged by 12 noon MON 22 Postal Voting Commences WED Early Voting (in person & technology 24 assisted) Commences SAT 27 Mobile Polling Commences MAR WED Scrutiny of Early Votes may commence (8 am) 10 Close of Written Applications for a postal vote (6 pm) FRI 12 Close of Issue of Early Votes (in person) (6 pm) SAT POLLING DAY – (8 am to 6 pm) THU 13 Second Saturday in March 18 Close for Receipt of Postal Votes (9 am) APRIL FRI RETURN OF WRITS 16 4 2021 State General Election Election Report Electoral Environment The report of the Distribution Commissioners, Electoral Boundaries and the final maps of Western Australia’s electoral region and district boundaries created The Electoral Act 1907 (the Act) requires that under the authority of the Commissioners Western Australia’s electoral boundaries are and lodged with Landgate as Deposited Plans reviewed in between each State general 418163 – 418227, are available to view or election so that the number of electors download at www.boundaries.wa.gov.au. within each electoral district remains within a permitted tolerance range, either side of an average district enrolment figure. The average Legislative Changes district enrolment as at the close of the State A range of electoral reforms were proposed by electoral roll 11 March 2019, the date chosen the Electoral Amendment Act 2020. for the 2019 review of the electoral boundaries, was 27,573. This Bill proposed to amend the Electoral Act 1907 and introduce: The review, which included formalised open consultation, was undertaken in accordance • Quarterly reporting of donations instead of with the provisions of the Act by independent an annual report Electoral Distribution Commissioners • A reduction of the disclosure threshold for Hon. Eric Heenan QC, retired Judge of the reporting of donations from $2,500 the Supreme Court of Western Australia to $1,000 (Chairperson); Mr Tom Joseph, Government Statistician; Mr David Kerslake, Electoral • A reduction from 15 weeks to 12 weeks for Commissioner (during the drafting of the the disclosure of electoral expenditure after proposed boundaries); and Mr Chris Avent, a State election Acting Electoral Commissioner (for the final • The introduction of expenditure caps for stage of the Distribution following spending during State elections. Mr Kerslake’s retirement). The Bill was deferred to the Standing The final boundaries were published Committee on Legislation and the Committee’s 27 November 2019 and applied at the State report was tabled on 12 November 2020. general election held on 13 March 2021 to Due to parliament being dissolved for the State elect the 41st Western Australian Parliament. election the legislation lapsed without having The Distribution Commissioners altered the passed both houses. boundaries of all but 10 of the State’s 59 lower house districts. In the North Metropolitan Region, a reconfigured district formerly known as Girrawheen