Stirling on target to attract more voters

Digital campaigns, extra signage and the opportunity for residents to elect the next Mayor are some of the ways the City of Stirling is encouraging increased voter participation at the upcoming local government elections.

In the previous local government elections in 2017, Stirling had the highest voter enrolment in WA but one of the lower voter participation rates at 32 per cent.

Manager Governance Jamie Blanchard said the City had made considerable efforts to eclipse the 2017 voter participation rates.

 “2019 is a milestone year for Stirling with residents electing a mayor by popular vote for the first time in our history,” Mr Blanchard said. ”We anticipate this change will encourage a lot more people to vote.”

“Data from the previous election cycle also indicated a low voter turnout for the 18-34 age group, so we are hoping our digital advertising campaign targeting this demographic will translate to more ballots lodged,” he said.

With over 210,000 residents, which includes close to 45 per cent of the local population born overseas, the City of Stirling is considered one of Australia’s most culturally diverse local governments.

“To capture this diverse audience, Stirling has increased ‘how-to-vote’ signage in areas with multicultural communities as well as increasing the amount signage displayed throughout the City”, Mr Blanchard said.

“The City also worked with the local Indigenous community, as part of its Reconciliation Action Plan, to increase engagement by the Aboriginal community in the City’s democratic processes.”

The local government elections will be held on Saturday 19 October 2019, with polls closing at 6.00pm Western Standard Time.

For more information visit  https://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/your-city/about-council/council-elections.