A lack of youth participation in local government elections is undermining the democratic process, according to City of Vincent councillor Nicole Woolf.

Only seven per cent of Western Australians aged 18-24 voted in the most recent local government election, according to a 2023 WA Electoral Commission report.

Ms Woolf said councils play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young people.

“We [need to make sure we] are accurately representing all sectors of our community and including them in decisions that will shape their lives,” she said.

University student Charlotte Linnell, 21, is not planning on voting in the upcoming local government election on October 18.

“I’m just not caught up on it,” she said, admitting she couldn’t name her local councillors or explain their powers, and would not feel prepared to cast a vote.

In the lead-up to the poll, some WA councils are working on local solutions to increase youth engagement.

The City of Vincent is running a ‘councillor for the day’ program, which invites students into council chambers for mock meetings and a Q&A with the mayor.

The City of Fremantle is running a ‘change makers’ program, where young people receive mentorship and learn how local government works.

Vincent councillor Nicole Woolf said her council was investing in using platforms that young people are most comfortable with, such as social media.

She wants more young people to run as candidates for council and hopes they won’t be deterred by financial barriers.

“You can get a $1,000 tax deduction for each election…you can absolutely run a decent election campaign within that budget,” she said.

Unlike state and federal elections, voting for local government is voluntary and mostly conducted via postal vote.

The 2023 WAEC report found thousands of votes were lost to late or unclaimed ballots, lowering turnout.

City of Fremantle councillor Jemima Williamson-Wong said while postal voting could be a barrier, many chose not to participate because they felt disconnected from the system.

“It’s about making sure people know that it’s happening and that they can have a vote,” she said.

“It also relies on people wanting to hear from their local government on social media.”

Ms Williamson-Wong said the lack of young people either voting in local government elections or standing as candidates themselves was a big concern.

 “If we’re not in the rooms designing our future,” she said, “then who are we letting do that for us?”