More than 5,800 votes have been cast in the City of Perth's council election with just one day left before polls close.
More than 5,800 votes have been cast in the City of Perth's council election with just one day left before polls close.
Voter turnout has already exceeded 2017, when just 37 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot for council candidates.
This election, typified by a high-profile battle for the city's lord mayoralty, takes place after the results of the City of Perth inquiry found widespread dysfunction in the previous administration and council.
The city has been without any elected representation for more than two years.
Channel 7 presenter and media personality Basil Zempilas has commanded the most attention in the race, and has largely campaigned on issues such as addressing the city’s rates of homelessness and crime.
He has received the endorsement of former lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi, as well as three candidates running for council: Friends Restaurant owner Clyde Bevan; community television presenter Gary Mitchell; and Strata Community Australia WA president Catherine Lezer.
Rebecca Gordon, who is the former deputy mayor of the City of Melville, received an undisclosed contribution from Mr Zempilas, according to the city’s gift register, for the purpose of being included on a how-to-vote flyer.
It is not clear whether Mrs Gordon and Mr Zempilas are coordinating their campaigns.
Mrs Gordon ran against Peter Tinley, the state’s minister for housing, fisheries, veteran’s issues and Asian engagement, in the 2017 state election, losing by a two-to-one margin.
Mr Zempilas has faced six other candidates in the race, including Activate Perth chair Di Bain, who earlier in the race came under scrutiny after her campaign disclosed upwards of $110,000 worth of campaign contributions from outside donors.
Ms Bain denied accusations of impropriety when asked about the donations by Business News, arguing she had disclosed the donations for the sake of transparency.
She is one of three candidates simultaneously contesting the city's lord mayoralty and a seat on council, with the other two being local businessman Bruce Reynolds and lawyer and architect Sandy Anghie.
Spacecubed founder and managing director Brodie McCulloch, journalist and presenter Mark Gibson, and retired magistrate Tim Schwass are also contesting the city’s lord mayoralty.
Polls close at 6pm tomorrow, with voters able to drop their ballots in at council house.
To read more about who is on the ballot and what candidates stand for, click here to read more.
