2021 STATE GENERAL ELECTION Strategy and Commitments …...2021 STATE GENERAL ELECTION Strategy and Commitments Charter. trateg and oitents arter 2 Foreword Western Australia’s next

2021 STATE GENERAL ELECTION

Strategy and Commitments Charter


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Foreword

Western Australia’s next State general election is scheduled for Saturday 13 March 2021. The Western Australian Electoral Commission is responsible for managing all aspects of the election. We aim to do so independently, impartially, transparently and in full compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 1907.

Every major electoral event presents fresh challenges and opportunities. This Western Australian State election will be the first conducted since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, stakeholders may see or experience a number of changes to past election practices.

Physical distancing and social hygiene practices will impact electors, candidates, campaign workers and scrutineers, as well as the delivery of electoral services. Stakeholders are asked to remain cognisant of these necessary restrictions and accept that some things may take a little longer than in the past.

This document sets out the standards and deliverables for which the Commission is accountable, in order to maintain our reputation for impartiality and professionalism in electoral administration.

We look forward to working productively and collaboratively with all stakeholders and staff to ensure public confidence in the conduct of this important event in our State’s democracy.

Robert Kennedy ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER

July 2020

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Introduction

This strategy document outlines the Western Australian Electoral Commission’s broad aims and intentions in conducting the 2021 State general election, as well as the service commitments and performance measures key stakeholders can expect.

The document is intended to serve as an information and accountability tool, enhancing electoral transparency while also assisting electors, candidates, registered political parties and the media to prepare for the election and to interact openly with the Commission.

Since the 2017 general election, changes have occurred to electoral boundaries and various electoral procedures and service delivery arrangements, and possible legislative changes impacting candidates and parties are presently before the State Parliament. These are outlined on the following pages.

Further details relating to the conduct of the 2021 State general election will be progressively published on the Commission’s website at www.elections.wa.gov.au as the election approaches.

Enquiries can also be directed to the Commission at 13 63 06 or (08)9214 0400 or via email to [email protected].

Election Dates

The planned election timeline showing the key milestone dates for the 13 March 2021 election is illustrated on the inside back cover of this document.


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Accountability

Commission ObjectivesThe Commission’s overall objective is to conduct the 2021 State general election in such a way that our stakeholders consider it to be:

• independent, impartial and lawful

• accurate, secure and verifiable

• conducted efficiently and professionally

• open, safe and accessible for all eligible participants.

More specifically the Commission aims to:

• ensure that as many eligible Western Australians as possible are enrolled prior to roll close

• ensure that district electoral rolls are accurate and available on time

• achieve a high level of electoral awareness and voter turnout by all elector cohorts

• facilitate ease of nomination by candidates, registered political parties and groups

• maximise convenient elector access to their preferred voting option

• deliver respectful, courteous and confidential voting services

• ensure all polling venues are managed in a COVID-19 safe manner

• promote awareness of the requirements for casting a formal vote

• promote awareness of recent boundary changes

• ensure all votes are counted promptly and accurately

• successfully recruit, train and employ the thousands of staff required

• ensure the health, safety and security of electoral staff is considered and managed

• fully comply with all statutory requirements

• conduct the election within available financial and resource limitations

• maximise public trust and confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.

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Changes Since the Last Election

The electoral district boundaries for the 2021 general election will be considerably different from those which applied in 2017. For example, only 10 of the State’s 59 Legislative Assembly districts have remained unchanged. Many of the changes reflect the significant population growth in a number of outer metropolitan districts since the last election and the resultant flow on effect to boundaries of neighboring districts. Nevertheless, with the exception of the new district of Landsdale (in place of Girrawheen) district names remain the same, and the number of districts in each Legislative Council region is also unchanged.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of social and economic life in Western Australia has been profound. The precise impact on the conduct of electoral events across Australia is still playing out and will continue to evolve with each successive event. It is however clear that a range of physical distancing and social hygiene measures will need to be adopted at the 2021 State election. Measures adopted will be implemented in line with advice from public health authorities.

The Commission will be implementing various strategies aimed at lessening peak elector numbers at polling places on election day and protecting the health and safety of electors, polling staff and campaign workers. These measures will include an increase in the number and operating hours of early voting centres; the establishment of additional polling places near previous venues that took exceptionally large numbers of votes in 2017; regular cleaning of polling venues and the provision of relevant protective equipment; limitations on the number of voters allowed into polling venues at any one time; and

greater distancing of electors and polling staff through tighter queue management and venue layout. At present there remains uncertainty over the capacity to deliver mobile polling services at hospitals, aged care facilities and remote Aboriginal communities. The Commission will liaise with relevant authorities and stakeholders in coming months to ensure voters in those situations have the opportunity to cast their vote.

At the time of publishing this document, the Western Australian Parliament is considering a number of changes to the Electoral Act 1907 relating to the political finance and disclosure provisions. These will have a significant impact on the record keeping and disclosure requirements of candidates, political parties and other entities.

The Electoral Amendment Bill 2020 was introduced into State Parliament on 25 June 2020. The Bill proposes to:

• Implement a disclosure system under which political parties and their associated entities, will be required to report gifts and receipts on a quarterly basis, as opposed to annual reporting

• Lower the threshold for public disclosure of donations from $2,500 to $1,000

• Amend the disclosure period for post-election disclosure returns from 15 weeks after polling day to 12 weeks after polling day

• Introduce expenditure caps for elections

• Ban all foreign donations.


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In addition to the changes outlined above, a number of service delivery and behind the scenes election management changes will be rolled-out at the 2021 election. For example, in lieu of a suitable internet voting platform being available, eligible electors with a disability or incapacity will be able to cast a vote independently over the telephone or in person at selected venues using the Vote Assist system developed by the Commission for vision impaired electors.

The Commission will make greater use of technology to better manage and monitor early voting processes and will roll out additional laptops for marking the roll electronically when issuing early and absent votes. Legislative Council ballot papers marked below the line will be scanned electronically for the first time, instead of being counted manually.

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The following key performance indicators have been adopted to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of election operations.

Indicator Measure TargetEvery Returning Officer completes online training and attends face to face training % of the total number

Every Polling Place Manager completes online training % of the total number

Polling places and early voting centres receive sufficient ballot papers, election materials and health and safety equipment to commence operations on time

% of the total number

Every electoral official views the training video relating to maintaining health and safety at polling venues

Every electoral district roll is produced and available for distribution to Returning Officers within 10 days of roll close

All early voting centres are open and ready to operate from Wednesday 24 February

Election Conduct Indicator Measure Target

Percentage of Legislative Assembly first preference count results received from ordinary polling places by 8.00 pm on polling day


All complaints received and election enquiries are responded to or acknowledged within 24 hours or by the next business day


All advertised polling places are open and ready for polling at 8.00 am and remain open until 6.00 pm on polling day


Return of the Writs Returned by date specified

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

70%

By date on the Writ

Performance Measurement

Election Preparations

% available by specificied date

% available by specificied date

% of the total number 100%


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Following the election, the Commission will seek extensive feedback through telephone and online surveys of electors, candidates, political parties, returning officers and polling place officials.

Indicator Measure TargetAverage State-wide elector participation rate – i.e. % of eligible electors on the roll % of the total eligible

Elector participation rate for 18–25 year olds equals or betters the national target of 80%

% of the total eligible

Average State-wide voter turn-out – i.e. % of those on the roll who vote % of the total enrolled

Informality rate – Legislative Assembly % of votes cast

Informality rate – Legislative Council % of votes cast

The number of invalidity complaints stemming from WAEC processes that are upheld by a Court of Disputed Returns

Number of invaliditycomplaints upheld

Election Outcomes

97%*

85%

90%

4%

2%

0

*This figure is drawn from Australian Electoral Commission estimates based on Australian Bureau of Statistics census data.

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Candidates and Political PartiesElectorsEligible electors can expect the following:

• Timely updating of enrolment details in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act

• Accurate and complete electoral rolls for each district and region

• A range of voting options to make it as easy as possible for every elector to cast their vote

• Expanded services for electors with particular requirements due to their location, cultural or linguistic background, or disability

• Accurate, user friendly and timely information about when, how and where to vote

• Accessible and safely managed polling venues

• Helpful and responsive call centre and enquiry service

• Courteous, friendly and helpful polling staff

• Ballot papers, advertising, a website and other election materials that are accurate and easy to understand

• Accurate and timely reporting of election results via a user-friendly results website.

Candidates and registered political parties contesting the election can expect the following:

• Clearly presented information about nomination requirements

• Clearly presented information about arrangements for the lodgement of Legislative Council voting tickets

• Accurate electoral roll data for the district or region they are contesting is available within 8 days of the close of rolls

• Clear guidelines relating to the display of how to vote material at early voting venues

• Timely provision of polling place and early vote centre locations

• Clear points of contact for enquiries and complaints

• Accurate, timely and easily accessible election results

• A clear Commission policy on recounts

• The opportunity to provide post-election feedback, both online and in-person

• Prompt refund of nomination deposits and payment of election funding claims, where applicable.

Service Commitments


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Media Media organisations and their representatives can expect the following:

• Comprehensive election information and timetables

• A regularly monitored and media specific email enquiry service with due regard to stated deadlines

• A live-feed of results data on election night, if required

• An up-to-date website containing useful background information with election results updated regularly as they become available

• The opportunity to provide post-election feedback.

Electoral StaffAt a State general election the Commission employs over 8,000 casual and contract staff, many for one day only and others for a period of weeks or months.

Staff engaged by the Commission can expect the following:

• Efficient and timely recruitment processes including prompt advice on the outcome of their application

• Accurate information about conditions of employment

• Appropriate and sufficient training for their role and responsibilities including new health and safety requirements arising from COVID-19

• Timely payment (within 4 weeks of election day).

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In making the commitments outlined in this document, the Commission acknowledges that its priorities and obligations may not always coincide with those of stakeholders. The Commission seeks the support of all stakeholders in recognising that there are steps and procedures that must be followed in accordance with statutory requirements or community safety obligations.

The Commission asks:

Candidates and Political Parties • To respect each other’s right to participate

in the election campaign

• To ensure that volunteers act in an orderly manner observing polling place rules

• To ensure that where involved, scrutineers are correctly registered in a timely fashion and wear the ID provided

• To be vigilant in ensuring compliance with authorisation requirements for campaign literature and advertising

• Not to impact the safety and rights of electors attending polling venues.

The Media• To check the online media guide first before

lodging enquiries with the Commission

• To direct all enquiries/requests for interviews to the Commission’s media email box

• To request reasonable deadlines recognising that the Commission also works under tight timeframes

• To acknowledge the Commission’s policy (given our impartial role) not to comment on individual candidates.

Electors• To ensure their enrolment details are

accurate and up to date

• To take care when completing their ballot papers to ensure their vote will count

• To get out there and have their say!

Electoral Staff• To ensure they fully complete their

application and provide all mandatory information

• Undertake all necessary reading and training in advance of attendance

• Be punctual in their attendance and advise their supervisor immediately if unable to attend

• To be courteous to all electors and fellow staff.

Support from Stakeholders


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No votes are able to be counted until after polling closes at 6.00 pm on election Saturday.

After 6.00 pm, some 800 polling place managers and their casual staff from across Western Australia will open ballot boxes and commence counting. Each polling place will send through indicative first preference figures for each candidate contesting that Legislative Assembly seat, a two candidate preferred figure, and the ticket vote figures for the relevant Legislative Council region.

Early in person and postal votes received before polling day will also be counted after6.00 pm on election night at the Commission’s central processing centre. Given the complexity of a proportional representation count, only the above the line ticket votes will be counted on election night.

While typically very reflective of the final results, votes counted on election night do not include absent votes cast at polling places across the State nor all postal votes, which can be accepted for the final count up to9.00 am on the Thursday following election Saturday. The Commission will progressively update figures on the election results website in the days following polling day as various declaration votes become available for counting.

Importantly, the returning officer for each district and region will undertake the formal count or full distribution of preferences from about a week after polling day. The final outcome of very close seats may not be known until this full distribution of preferences count has been completed. Returning officers will also undertake a fresh scrutiny of ballot papers within the three day period after polling day to resolve any discrepancies in preparation for the full distribution count.

Depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and any associated social distancing restrictions, candidates and political party agents should be able to appoint limited numbers of scrutineers to monitor vote counting and scrutiny activity. Traditionally candidates have been restricted to one scrutineer per relevant count table in order to limit congestion, provide a safe work environment and ensure counting efficiency. This number may not be possible in 2021. No scrutineer may physically handle a ballot paper.

If, after the full distribution of preferences for a Legislative Assembly seat, the margin between the two highest scoring candidates is 100 votes or less, the returning officer will offer candidates another full distribution ofpreferences count before declaring the result.

Counting and Scrutiny Arrangements

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Voting SystemsLegislative Assembly Members are elected using a full preferential voting system, which requires electors to record a preference for every candidate (using the numbers 1, 2, 3 and so on). To be elected a candidate must receive an absolute majority (i.e. 50% + 1) of the formal votes cast in their district.

If no candidate has obtained an absolute majority after all first preference votes have been counted, the candidate with the fewest number of first preference votes is excluded and their second preference votes are distributed among the remaining candidates. This process of allocating preferences continues until one candidate achieves an absolute majority of all formal votes.

Legislative Council Members are elected using a voting system known as Proportional Representation. Under this system parties, groups and independent candidates are elected to the Council in proportion to the number of votes they receive. To be elected, a candidate must receive a certain proportion (known as a quota) of the formal vote.


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2021 State General Elections Facts

• Elections will be held for both the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and the Legislative Council (Upper House). These elections are held on the second Saturday in March every four years.

• The Legislative Assembly has 59 electoral districts each returning a single Member. The Legislative Council is divided into six different electoral regions with a total of 36 Members to be elected (six from each).

• The boundaries of the districts and regions are set by independent Electoral Distribution Commissioners.

• As was the case at the 2017 State general election, at the 2021 election there will be 43 Legislative Assembly districts in the Perth metropolitan area and 16 country districts. North West Central will be the largest electoral district by area.

• The Commission will employ over 8,000 casual and contract staff at polling places and early voting centres, in mobile polling teams and at the central processing centre.

• Electors will be able to vote at about 800 venues on election day and numerous early voting centres in Western Australia, interstate and overseas for a 2.5 week period prior to polling day.

• It is estimated that more than 1.7 million electors will be enrolled at the close of rolls for 2021 State general election.

• A record total 717 candidates and sixteen political parties contested the 2017 election. The final numbers for the 2021 election will not be known until nominations close on 12 February 2021.

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2021 State General Election Timetable

ISSUE OF WRITSFirst Wednesday in February

Candidate Nominations & Applications for Postal Vote Open

Party Nominations Close (12 noon)

Early and Technology Assisted Voting Commences

Legislative Council Voting Tickets to be Lodged by 12 noon

Processing of Early Votes may Commence at 8 am

Close of Written Applications for Postal Votes at 6 pm

Close for Receipt of Postal Votes at 9 am

FEB 3 WedFEB 4 Thurs

FEB 11 Thurs

FEB 12 Fri

FEB 15 Mon

FEB 22 Mon

FEB 24 Wed

FEB 27 Sat

MAR 1 Mon

MAR 6 Sat

MAR 10 Wed

MAR 13 SatMAR 18 Thurs

CLOSE OF NOMINATIONSAt 12 noon & Draw for Ballot Paper Positions

Public Holiday – Labour Day

* Anticipated timetable

POLLING DAY – (8 am to 6 pm) Second Saturday in March

Last day possible for the RETURN OF WRITS90 days after Issue of Writs

CLOSE OF ROLLS8 days after Issue of Writs at 6 pm

by MAY 4 Tues

Mobile Polling (for special institutions, hospitals and declared remote areas) may Commence

Dispatch of Postal Votes Commences

Most Early Vote Centres will be Open

Western Australian Electoral CommissionLevel 2, 111 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 GPO Box F316 Perth WA 6841

PHONE (08) 9214 0400 or 13 63 06 EMAIL [email protected] WEBSITE www.elections.wa.gov.au FAX (08) 9226 0577

Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS)13 14 50 and then ask for (08) 9214 0400

National Relay Service (NRS)Speak & Listen number 1300 555 727 SMS Relay number 0423 677 767

Documents

2021 STATE GENERAL ELECTION Strategy and Commitments …...2021 STATE GENERAL ELECTION Strategy and Commitments Charter. trateg and oitents arter 2 Foreword Western Australia’s next