Everything to know about the Western Australia election: How, where, and when to vote

The Western Australian state election is just around the corner, with less than two weeks to go until polling day on Saturday, March 8.

Labor under Premier Roger Cook currently holds a huge majority in parliament, with the Liberals and Nations facing a tough task to win enough seats back to form government.

Here is everything you need to know about the WA election.

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Who are the candidates?

Labor won the last two WA state elections in landslides and will be seeking to win a third term this year.

Leading WA Labor as the current premier is Cook, who replaced Mark McGowan in 2023 after his mid-term resignation.

This will be Cook's first state election as party leader, just as it is for Liberal counterpart Libby Mettam. Mettam replaced David Honey in January 2023.

Shane Love is the Nationals leader – while traditionally the "junior" Coalition partner, the Nats hold as many lower-house seats as the Liberals heading into the election with three each. (Labor won 53 at the last election).

The Liberals entered into an alliance with the Nationals in 2021, as opposed to a formal coalition.

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Do I have to vote?

It is compulsory for all Western Australian residents who are 18 or over, Australian citizens, and have lived at their current address for at least one month to vote.

When is the election and when do I have to vote?

Those voting on election day need to cast their ballot on Saturday, March 8 between polls opening at 8am and closing at 6pm (AWST).

Voting locations can be found on the WA Electoral Commission's website.

However, there are other voting options available for those who can't vote on March 8 at one of the polling booths for whatever reason:

• Early voting
• Postal voting
• Phone assisted voting
• Mobile and remote polling
• Overseas and interstate voting

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How do I vote early?

Early in-person voting is open for all eligible voters who cannot vote on March 8.

It began on Monday, February 24 and will close at 6pm on Friday, March 7.

You can cast your vote at any early polling location, which can be found on this map.

Early voting will not be available on the Labor Day public holiday on Monday, March 3.

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When and how do I postal vote?

Postal voting requires voters to complete an application form so that a ballot paper can be sent to them in the mail.

You can apply online or ask for an application form to be sent to you by emailing postalvote@waec.wa.gov.au. Applications for postal voting close on Wednesday, March 5.

Postal votes must be completed and sent by 6pm on March 8, and must be received by the WA Electoral Commission by 9am, March 13..

When and how do I vote from overseas or interstate?

If you are overseas or interstate on election day or the early voting period and are on the WA election roll, you can find all the interstate and overseas voting locations for this year here.

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What if I have a disability or other condition that makes it difficult to vote in person?

If you require wheelchair access to a voting location, you can find all accessible polling places on the WA Electoral Commission's website.

The WA election this year are also offering low-sensory voting for those with sensory sensitivities at The Hepburn Centre, 46 Highclere Boulevard, Marangaroo.

Phone-assisted voting and mobile voting will be available for others who cannot physically go vote for various reasons including visual impairment, physical impairment, reading difficulties, and those in nursing homes.