2023 Western Australian mayoral elections explained

See main article: 2023 Western Australian local elections.

Country:	Western Australia
Type:	parliamentary
Ongoing:	no
Election Date:	21 October 2023
Previous Election:	2021 Western Australian mayoral elections
Previous Year:	2021
Next Election:	2025 Western Australian mayoral elections
Next Year:	2025

The 2023 Western Australian mayoral elections were held on 21 October 2023 to elect the mayors and presidents of many of the 137 local government areas (LGAs) in Western Australia. The elections were held as part of the statewide local elections.^{[1] [2]}

Electoral reform introduced into the state parliament by the McGowan government in February 2023 saw optional preferential voting (OPV) introduced, replacing first-past-the-post.^[3]

Mayoral elections in Western Australia are non-partisan, and most political parties do not endorse candidates.

Candidates

Retiring mayors

• Dennis Wellington − Albany, announced 15 March 2023^[4]
• Emma Cole − Vincent, announced 26 July 2023^{[5] [6]}

Results

Armadale

• This was the first time the position of mayor of Armadale was directly elected instead of appointed by councillors
• Ruth Butterfield was the incumbent mayor^[7]

Ashburton

• This was the first time the position of president of Ashburton was directly elected instead of appointed by councillors^[8]

Augusta–Margaret River

• This was the first time the position of president of Augusta–Margaret River was directly elected instead of appointed by councillors^[9]

Perth

See main article: 2023 Perth City Council election.

Vincent

Notes and References

1. Web site: Local Government Elections . Western Australian Electoral Commission . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118003430/https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/local/election#/ordinary/4b5bb626-1be6-479e-95da-471446ac825e . 18 November 2023.
2. Web site: Western Australia's first step on local council voting reform . 28 August 2023 . The Tally Room.
3. Web site: Local Government Elections . Western Australian Electoral Commission . https://web.archive.org/web/20240325121817/https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/local . 25 March 2024 . live . Local government elections in WA now use ‘optional preferential voting’, instead of ‘first past the post’ voting. Optional preferential voting is similar to how voting is done in State and Federal elections . Changes to voting in local government elections.
4. Web site: Dennis Wellington to retire as Mayor at the next election . City of Albany.
5. Web site: Emma Cole: Popular City of Vincent mayor won't run for reelection in October . The West Australian . 26 July 2023.
6. Web site: RACE FOR THE ROBES . 22 December 2016 . Perth Voice Interactive . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207100606/https://perthvoiceinteractive.com/2016/12/22/race-for-the-robes/ . 7 December 2022.
7. Web site: Butterfield back by popular vote . Examiner Newspapers . 26 October 2023.
8. Web site: 2023 Local Government Election Results - President Audra Smith Announced as new Shire President . Shire of Ashburton . 22 October 2023.
9. Web site: Julia Meldrum Elected Shire President and New Council Members Announced . Shire of Augusta–Margaret River.