Deputy principal leads unofficial survey on preferred mayor

Deputy principal Gavin Hirschhausen is leading the field in The Geraldton Guardian’s unofficial survey on preferred mayor.

As of 1.15pm today, 132 people had nominated him as their preferred civic leader, followed by Rob Jefferies (44 respondents), Shane Van Styn (38), incumbent Ian Carpenter (26) and Shane Hill (14).

Weighted against the results are the very small sample size and that participation in the survey is not limited to eligible City voters.

The official Australian Electoral Office vote is still under way, with voting to close at 6pm on Saturday.

As of 1.15pm today, about 30 per cent of ratepayers had voted in the City of Greater Geraldton elections for mayor and five councillors.

Participation rates by ward were: Champion Bay 31.79 per cent, Chapman 31.05 per cent, Hills 32.28 per cent, Mullewa 25.71 per cent, Port 32.7 per cent, Tarcoola 30.44 per cent and Willcock 27.21 per cent.

With only days to go, the WA Electoral Commissioner is urging electors who have yet to return their postal voting package to do so today.

As of tomorrow, electors are advised to drop ballot papers into their local government office.

Statewide, the participation rate for local government elections was about 22.5 per cent yesterday.

In 2013, 31.6 per cent of electors voted in local government elections in Geraldton, compared to 36.3 per cent in 2011.

Voting in local government elections is voluntary.

For more information, visit www.elections.wa.gov.au or call 1300 661 136.

To take part in the Guardian’s unofficial survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WGNMMW2