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Before Polling Day
Voting Options Before Polling Day (once an election has been announced)
Early Vote (By Post)
How to apply for an Early Vote
When to apply for an Early Vote
Overseas Applications
How to apply for an Early Vote
When to apply for an Early Vote
Overseas Applications
General Early Voter (for all State elections)
Eligibility
How to apply for Registration a a General Early Voter
Voting Options Before Polling Day
Electors who are unable to attend a polling place on polling day, can apply for an Early vote and lodge their vote before Polling Day.
Most electors will vote on polling day at a close or convenient polling place. However, an elector is entitled to apply for an Early vote if the elector:
- will be more than 8 kms from any polling place throughout the hours of polling;
- cannot or is precluded from attending to vote at a polling place because of:
- emergency duty or employment;
- membership of a religious order or beliefs which precludes attendance at a polling place or voting on polling day;
- serious illness or infirmity;
- caring for someone with a serious illness or infirmity;
- approaching maternity;
- travelling outside the State of Western Australia;
- enrolment as a silent elector (residence is not shown on the electoral roll).
Early Vote (by post)
After an election has been announced, application forms can be obtained from Post Offices; the Western Australian Electoral Commission; Australian Electoral Commission offices; Country Court Houses and Local Courts at Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland and Rockingham; or download an Application for an Early Vote.
Application forms must be completed and returned to the Western Australian Electoral Commission. Ballot Papers will then be posted to the elector for completion. These must then be mailed and received at the Commission.
How to Apply for an Early Vote (by post)
You can receive a ballot paper by completing an Early Vote (by Post) application form. Written applications must be signed* and posted, delivered or faxed to the Western Australian Electoral Commission.
* If you are unable to sign your name, make your mark on the application and have it witnessed by any person 18 years or over, who is not a candidate in the election. This person need not be on the Western Australian Electoral Roll.
When to apply for an Early vote (by post)
You can make a written application after the date of polling day has been officially announced.
Overseas Applications (by post)
Western Australian citizens entitled to vote in the State elections may apply in writing, directly to the Western Australian Electoral Commission.
Download an Application for an Early Vote
Applicants should keep in mind the time delays involved in posting applications, declarations and ballot papers. Completed ballot papers must reach the Western Australian Electoral Commission by 9.00am on Thursday 7 October 2010.
Early Vote (in person)
You can apply to vote in person before polling day at any of the advertised Early Vote (in person) issuing offices. This will enable you to complete ballot papers at that venue.
Early voting is open from Monday 6th September to Friday 1 October 2010. Applications in person must be made before 6.00 pm on Friday 1st October at all locations within WA, or during normal business hours until Friday 1st October at all locations outside WA. Click here for a list of Early Vote (in person) issuing places (PDF).How to Apply for an Early Vote (in person)
A written application is not required when you make an application in person, prior to polling day, at any of the advertised Early Vote issuing offices.
When to apply for an Early Vote (in person)
Personal applications may be accepted one day after the closing day for nomination of candidates. Personal applications close at 6.00pm on the Friday immediately preceding polling day.
Overseas Applications (in person)
It is advisable, before leaving the country, to contact the Western Australian Electoral Commission for advice on the location of these issuing points. Specific location details will be available on this website soon after an election is announced and will also be advertised in the newspaper.
General Early Voter (for all State elections)
In some circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for registration as a General Early Voter for all State elections. Registration as a General Early Voter means that ballot papers are automatically sent to you when they become available.
You will be sent ballot papers and an envelope with an elector's declaration attached.
You must complete and return these as soon as possible. The envelope containing the ballot papers must be postmarked before 6.00pm on polling day and received by the Western Australian Electoral Commission before 9.00 am on the following Thursday.
Eligibility for General Early Voter Registration
An elector can apply to be registered as a General Early Voter if the elector:
- lives more than 20kms by the shortest practicable route from the nearest polling place
- is a patient in a hospital or similar institution
- due to personal illness will be physically unable to travel to a polling place
- is caring for a person who is seriously ill or infirm
- is registered as a silent elector or
- is an elector who because of religious beliefs, or membership of a religious order is precluded from attending a polling place for all or most of the hours of polling.
How to Apply for Registration as a General Early Voter
Download a General Early Voter Application Form (PDF, 103.4 kB) to register as a General Early Voter.
Please print off, complete and sign the above form and post or fax to address on the form.
