The recent local council elections in Western Australia have been described as “very successful” by the state’s Acting Electoral Commissioner, Dennis O’Reilly, despite challenges such as low voter turnout and a significant counting error in a mayoral election. The polls took place over the weekend, marking the third election in the state this year, with voting conducted across more than 100 local governments.
In his first media appearance following the elections, O’Reilly noted that the election process was “really, really smooth,” allowing for faster counting and quicker publication of results. As of the latest figures, approximately 516,000 people cast their votes, translating to a turnout rate of only 29.7 percent of eligible voters. This figure falls short of the 35 percent participation rate that the Western Australia Electoral Commission (WAEC) had anticipated.
Counting Errors and Voter Concerns
Despite the overall positive assessment, O’Reilly acknowledged that there were “a few road bumps along the way.” A notable issue arose during the vote count for the City of Cockburn, where 297 ballot papers were missed in the initial tally. This counting error led to the premature release of incorrect provisional results on the WAEC website. O’Reilly attributed the mistake to a “procedural error,” clarifying that the integrity of the votes remained intact throughout the process.
The error was rectified after a formal recount was requested, and the missing ballots were subsequently included in the correct count. O’Reilly emphasized that future reviews of the election process could uncover additional problems, particularly concerning postal voting. Reports of incorrect ballot papers and complaints from approximately 50 individuals about not receiving their postal voting packs on time have raised concerns about the electoral process.
Future Reforms and Voter Participation
Looking ahead, O’Reilly mentioned the potential for reforms aimed at improving voter turnout. Both he and Hannah Beazley, the Local Government Minister, have hinted at the possibility of introducing compulsory voting and fixed four-year full spill elections if the participation rates do not improve. Currently, voting in WA’s local government elections is optional, unlike in most other jurisdictions across Australia.
O’Reilly expressed openness to discussions about mandatory voting, noting that WA and South Australia are the only regions in Australia where such a requirement does not exist. As he continues in his role until December 2023, he will oversee a comprehensive review of the election process, aiming to address the issues that arose during this election cycle.
The WAEC has also committed to launching a dedicated webpage to provide updates on the progress of the inquiry into the electoral process. This comes after criticisms of the WAEC following the March 8, 2023 state election, which faced backlash over long queues and ballot paper shortages at polling stations.
In a show of support, WA Premier Roger Cook praised O’Reilly’s leadership during this transitional period, affirming confidence in his ability to manage the electoral commission effectively. As the WAEC moves forward, the focus will be on enhancing the electoral experience for voters and ensuring greater transparency in future elections.
