Council elections are held every four years and give you the opportunity to vote for the Mayor and Council Members who make decisions for your local area. Following a deferral from the scheduled November 2026 elections, the next council elections will be held in April 2027.
Unlike the state election, voting in the local government is conducted by post and it’s not compulsory, but if you’re a resident, own a business or are part of an eligible group in PAE, casting a vote is the best way to have your say about what happens in your local community.
Your vote will help determine who holds the role of Mayor and each of the 17 ward councillor positions for the next four years.
Key stages and dates
You can vote in the 2027 council elections if you are 18 years or older and you either live in the Council area or own or occupy a rateable property in the area. This includes individuals, businesses or organisations (bodies corporate), and groups of owners or occupiers.
Check your enrolment details and enrol to vote before close of roll, 5pm Monday 4 January 2027. More information about enrolling is available below.
As a council member, you can help create a future that you and your community can be proud of and enjoy. If you are passionate about your local community, willing to work as part of a team, keen to learn and make a difference, nominate for a position on council.
Nominations for a position on council open Tuesday 26 January and close 12pm Tuesday 9 February 2027. More information about nominating, including the details of candidate information sessions, will be added to this page closer to the time.
Voting for council elections is done by mail. All election materials, including your ballot papers, are mailed directly to the postal address you provide on the electoral roll or the council voters roll. Voting papers will be sent to all eligible voters from 11 - 17 March 2027. Completed votes can be submitted by post in the reply paid envelope in your voting pack.
Votes must be received by 5pm Wednesday 7 April 2027.
Enrolment
You can vote in the 2027 council elections if you are 18 years or older and you either live in the Council area or own or occupy a rateable property in the area. This includes individuals, businesses or organisations (bodies corporate), and groups of owners or occupiers.
If you are enrolled on the State (House of Assembly) electoral roll at an address within this Council area, you do not need to take any action. You will automatically receive your voting pack by mail in March 2027.
For more enrolment information, visit the the Council elections enrolment page, or enrolment checker, or, read or FAQs below.
Enrolment FAQs
You can vote in the 2027 council elections if you are 18 years or older and you either live in the Council area or own or occupy a rateable property in the area. This includes individuals, businesses or organisations (bodies corporate), and groups of owners or occupiers.
If you are not enrolled on the State electoral roll at an address within this Council area, you must apply to be included on the Council voters roll to be able to vote. You must also apply if you want to vote on behalf of a group or business.
Yes. Even if you enroled and voted in previous council elections, you must enrol again for the 2027 elections. Under the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, the Council voters roll expires on 1 January in the year of an election, which means a new application is required for each election.
If you need to enrol to vote in the 2027 council elections, your enrolment application must be received by the close of the electoral roll Monday 4 January 2027. Forms must be fully completed, witnessed and returned by the close of roll. Applications received after this date cannot be accepted.
Authorised by Mark Withers, Chief Executive Officer, City of PAE
