What is an electoral distribution?
Why do we have electoral distributions?
When are electoral distributions held?
When was the last electoral distribution?
How long does the electoral distribution take to complete?
Who conducts the electoral distribution?
What are the key parameters governing the 2003 Electoral Distribution?
What is the close of roll?
What are the steps in the electoral distribution process?
When do the new boundaries take effect?
What happens if a by-election is called before the next State General Election?
How can I find out more about the distribution process?

What is an electoral distribution?
An electoral distribution is the drawing of electoral boundaries in line with local population changes. The process ensures that no electorate becomes too large or too small.
An electoral distribution is also known as a division of the State.

Why do we have electoral distributions?
We have electoral distributions to ensure that the number of electors in each district is within the acceptable range at each election. It is necessary to draw the boundaries to take account of the rise and fall in elector numbers in each district.

When are electoral distributions held?
Electoral distributions commence as soon as practicable 1 year after polling day following two successive State General Elections (i.e. every 8 years). The 2003 Electoral Distribution was due to commence on 11 February 2002 but was delayed pending litigation on the "One Vote, One Value" legislation. The next distribution will be due to commence in approximately 7 years time.
The Governor may also direct, by proclamation, that a distribution be conducted as soon as possible after that proclamation. This can only occur if both Houses of Parliament pass a resolution to that effect.

When was the last electoral distribution?
The last electoral distribution was completed on 28 November 1994. The final boundaries were published in a special Government Gazette, No. 168, on that date.

How long does the electoral distribution take to complete?
The formal process takes approximately six months from the time the call for written suggestions is made.

Who conducts the electoral distribution?
Three Electoral Distribution Commissioners are appointed under the Electoral Distribution Act 1947 to conduct the Distribution. They are:

The Chief Justice (Chairman)	- The Hon. David K. Malcolm AC, CIT. WA
The Electoral Commissioner	- Ms Lyn Auld
The Government Statistician	- Mr Colin Nagle

The Western Australian Electoral Commission provides administrative support to the Commissioners.

What are the key parameters governing the 2003 Electoral Distribution?
The Electoral Distribution Act 1947 sets out the bases for this electoral distribution.
Section 6 provides the basis for the division of the State into districts -

1. "The Commissioners shall -
   1. divide the Metropolitan Area into 34 districts; and
   2. divide the area comprising the remainder of the State into 23 districts.
   
   
2. The Commissioners shall make the division of an area mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) into districts in accordance with the principle that the number of enrolled electors comprised in any district in the area must not be more than 15% greater, or more than 15% less, than the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of enrolled electors in the area by the number of districts into which the area is to be divided."

Section 9 provides the basis for the division of the State into regions:

The Commissioners shall divide the State into 6 regions so that

1. 3 regions, to be known, respectively, as the North Metropolitan Region, the South Metropolitan Region and the East Metropolitan Region, each consist of complete and contiguous districts that together form the Metropolitan Area;
2. one region, to be known as the Mining and Pastoral Region, consists of complete and contiguous districts that are remote from the capital and where the land use is primarily for mining and pastoral purposes;
3. one region, known as the Agricultural Region, consists of complete and contiguous districts that together form an area that is generally south, or south and west, of and adjacent to the Mining and Pastoral Region; and
4. the remaining region, to be known as the South West Region, consists of complete and contiguous districts.

What is the close of roll?
A snapshot of the electoral roll is taken at a particular point in time to form a basis for the number of people to include in each district. This is known as a roll close. It does not affect anybody's enrolment or their entitlement to vote in State elections. The roll for this electoral distribution closed on 11 February 2002, pursuant to section 2A (5) of the Electoral Distribution Act 1947.

What are the steps in the electoral distribution process?
The Electoral Distribution Act 1947 defines the conduct of the electoral distribution after the roll close. It is a 5-step process.

STEP 1 is the publication of an invitation to lodge written suggestions within a 30-day period, after which these suggestions are made available for viewing.

STEP 2 is a 14-day period during which written comments on these suggestions may be made.

STEP 3 is a 42-day period during which the Electoral Distribution Commissioners prepare and publish the Final boundaries.

STEP 4 is a 30-day period during which written objections to the Final boundaries may be lodged.

STEP 5 is a 60-day period during which the Electoral Distribution Commissioners consider objections and publish the final distribution in the Government Gazette.

When do the new boundaries take effect?
The new boundaries take effect at the next State General Election, due in 2005, and will also apply to the following State General Election.

What happens if a by-election is called before the next State General Election?
The boundaries created during the 1994 Electoral Distribution apply to any by-elections that may occur before the next State General Election, due in late 2004 or early 2005. A by-election will only elect a candidate to fulfil the remainder of the current term of office. At the next State General Election all districts and regions will be contested on the boundaries as distributed at the 2003 Electoral Distribution.

How can I find out more about the distribution process?

Contact the Office of the Electoral Distribution Commissioners