Nine candidates set to contest Geraldton seat as Shane Van Styn draws No.1 spot

Geraldton will have nine candidates contesting the local seat at the upcoming State election, with independent Shane Van Styn drawing the No.1 slot on the ballot paper.

On Thursday, candidates gathered after the submission deadline to see the order the ballot would be drawn in.

In a short ceremony, WA Electoral Commission returning officer of the Geraldton district Brian Robartson was in charge of the draw.

Before the draw, Liberal candidate Tim Milnes and Mr Van Styn’s wife Jazzlyn volunteered to shake the ballot box to randomise the process.

It proved a good luck charm for the latter, with Mr Van Styn drawing the first ticket on the ballot.

“Get used to it,” Mr Van Styn joked.

Nationals candidate Kirrilee Warr drew second spot, while Australian Christians candidate Eugenie Harris’ was the third name drawn.

Tim Milnes from the Liberals was the fourth name read out, followed by newly announced independent candidate and City of Greater Geraldton councillor Aaron Horsman.

Next was Jack Ostle, the candidate for the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party, followed by Greens candidate Madeline Doncon.

The Legalise Cannabis WA Party’s candidate David Van Beek was next, meaning the last spot on the ballot went to the incumbent, Labor’s Lara Dalton.

The ballot was also drawn for the eight candidates for the Mid West seat on Thursday, with Nationals WA and Opposition Leader Shane Love claiming spot No.7 and former Nationals colleague-turned Liberal defector Merome Beard above him at No.6.

Labor’s candidate, City of Greater Geraldton councillor Jenna Denton, drew No.4.

GERALDTON BALLOT PAPER (in order)

1. Shane Van Styn (independent)

2. Kirrilee Warr (Nationals WA)

3. Eugenie Harris (Australian Christians)

4. Tim Milnes (Liberal Party of WA)

5. Aaron Horsman (independent)

6. Jack Ostle (Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers)

7. Madeline Doncon (Greens WA)

8. David Van Beek (Legalise Cannabis WA Party)

9. Lara Dalton (WA Labor)

MID WEST BALLOT PAPER (in order)

1. Michael Reymond (Australian Christians)

2. Margaret “Chilla” Bulbeck (Greens WA)

3. Chrystal Sclater (Libertarian Party)

4. Jenna Denton (WA Labor)

5. Mark Burns (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation)

6. Merome Beard (Liberal Party of WA)

7. Shane Love (Nationals WA)

8. Shannon Yeh (Legalise Cannabis Party WA)