WA election 2025: WAEC under fire after booths run out of ballot papers, with claims voters told to head home

The WA Electoral Commission has come under fire after polling booths ran out of ballot papers, with reports election officials were ticking off people’s names despite not even voting.

Punters at various polling booths in Perth — including Gooseberry Hill Primary School and Kalamunda Primary School — were forced to vote at alternative locations after booths ran out of ballot papers as early as 4.30pm.

Ballot paper shortages created mass delays and long queues, with one booth — located at St Jermone’s Primary School — forced to stay open an hour later to ensure everyone in the queue could cast their vote.

WA Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash said she had received reports of election officials telling punters they would mark off their names and could head home without voting.

“I heard reports from polling booths in the northern suburbs whereby they’ve run out of ballot papers,” she told 7NEWS.

“People have been there and have said (to voters), ‘we will tick you off so you don’t get fined, however, go home, you won’t be voting.’

“I don’t care who you are voting for ... (the WAEC has) one job; you know the date, you know when (the election) is occurring and you know how many people cast a ballot last time.”

A WAEC spokesperson said the commission had seen a “longer-than-expected” queues today but said “no-one was refused the opportunity to vote”.

“We have seen strong voter turnout today at polling places across Western Australia,” the spokesperson said.

“While early voting continues to be very popular, many people chose to cast their vote today and we’ve received some reports of longer-than-expected queues at some polling places.

“At this time the Commission is only aware of the incident at the Cockburn polling place.

“No-one was refused the opportunity to vote.”

Planning Minister John Carey said he was “concerned” by the way the WAEC had organised the election.

“I was getting complaints in relation to how sites were selected, locations advertised a wrong address, people walking away because lines were too long,” he said.

“(The WAEC is) an independent body, but I’m concerned by the way they have managed some of the aspects of the organisation (of the election).”

WAEC commissioner Robert Kennedy said the commission would provide more information when they could.

“While we will provide more information when we can, the focus is now on counting votes,” he said.

“Today’s strong turnout clearly shows the strength of our democracy with people turning up to have their say and make a difference.”