One-third of electors in Katanning have cast votes in shire election according to WA Electoral Commission

Just one-third of voters in the Shire of Katanning have cast their ballots in the local council election, just days out from polls closing. On Tuesday, October 14, the WA Electoral Commission was reporting 32.8 per cent of voters had returned their forms. Shire president Kristy D’Aprile is one of five candidates battling for a seat, with three spots open. The WAEC said 880 ballot papers had been returned out of a total mail-out of 2726. Voters have until Saturday, October 18 to make their choices. Almost 500 papers have been returned in the Shire of Kojonup, representing 37.28 per cent of the 1333 mailed out. The Shire of Dumbleyung has 187 returned ballots so far, 38.48 per cent of the electorate, where five candidates are standing for four seats. In Gnowangerup, three candidates stood for a council with four vacancies, so Rebecca Kiddle, Rebecca O’Meehan and Peter Callaghan were elected unopposed. This means the shire will have to fill the final vacancy through an extraordinary election on March 26 next year, the date having been determined by the WAEC. The Shire of Jerramungup is also heading for an extraordinary election on that day as Naomi Hall and Neil Foreman were the only candidates for three vacancies. Four candidates in the Shire of Lake Grace were elected unopposed. Anton Kuchling and Benjamin Hyde were re-elected and will be joined by new councillors Stephen Hunt and Jennifer Roche. In Cranbrook, Perin Mulcahy, Rob Johnson and Chelsea Lange were elected unopposed, as were Sara Robinson, Craig Dewar, Carl Letter and Connie Witham in Broomehill-Tambellup. Councillor-elect Witham is the only new face of the quartet. The Shire of Kent-Nyabing-Pingrup also had no need for an election as candidates Greg Hobley, Darren Gray, Timothy Borgward and Kate Johnston filled the four vacancies.