Here's what you should know before you vote in the 2025 federal election in WAABy Andrea MayesTopic:Elections6h ago6 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:20amVoters in Bullwinkel in WA, on election Day 2025. (ABC News: Ruby Littler)abc.net.au/news/federal-election-wa-voting-guide/105245342Link copiedShareShare articleYou can't blame West Australians for waking up with a sense of deja-vu this morning, as we prepare to vote in our second election in just eight weeks.Those who haven't already voted, that is, either by post or at a pre-poll station — and more than 400,000 of us have taken that option.In March, we voted to re-elect Labor to government in WA, with Premier Roger Cook winning a comfortable majority.This time it's the federal election and the fate of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also Labor, is on the line.Where can I vote?If you haven't visited a pre-polling station or lodged a postal vote, today is the day.Polling stations will close at 6pm WST. (Supplied: WA Electoral Commission )You can find out where there's a polling station near you here.Polling stations open at 8am and close at 6pm.Do I need ID to vote?No.You just need to give your full name and address to the polling official who issues the ballot papers once you're asked.You'll also be asked if you've already voted in the election.Will WA votes matter?Western Australia's votes were crucial in propelling Anthony Albanese into the Lodge in 2022, with Labor picking up four seats from the Liberals.WA's emphatic support of Labor at the 2022 election handed Anthony Albanese the keys to The Lodge. (Supplied: AlboMP Facebook Page)It was a momentous election in which five of WA's then 15 federal seats changed hands.The Liberals lost all of them, the remaining one falling to teal independent Kate Chaney in Curtin.Kate Chaney casts her vote in Perth on election day. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)Whether WA's votes will have the same impact this time round depends on how the numbers are falling in the other states and territories, where polls close up to two hours earlier than ours.While Labor has emerged as a narrow favourite to win, some polls are predicting a minority government — and WA's votes could once again prove crucial.The 2025 election explained:Australia has preferential voting — how do you do it?What do Labor, the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens stand for?Here's where the election could be won or lost for the major partiesWhat are the seats to watch?There are several seats that could change hands.Both Kate Chaney in Curtin and Sam Lim (ALP) in Tangney won on preferences last time on slim margins.Labor's Sam Lim won the previously safe Liberal seat of Tangney at the 2022 election. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)Chaney holds a 1.3 per cent margin while Lim has a 2.8 per cent buffer.Chaney is facing off against Liberal hopeful and former Uber executive Tom White, while Lim's main competitor is Liberal Howarg Ong.Howard Ong is hoping to win back the historically Liberal seat of Tangney. (ABC News: Grace Burmas)Moore is the Liberals' most marginal seat, held by just 0.9 per cent, and here's where it gets interesting.Incumbent Ian Goodenough failed to win preselection for the party and is now running as an independent candidate against Liberal hopeful and former MP Vince Connelly.The new seat of Bullwinkel is notionally Labor, but with its complicated mix of Wheatbelt farmers and suburban families, it's hard to know who will prevail.Former Nationals WA leader Mia Davies is vying for the seat against the Liberals' Matt Moran and Labor's Trish CookFormer Nationals WA leader Mia Davies is running for the seat of Bullwinkel . (ABC News: Matt Roberts)And outer suburban Pearce is another seat to watch, encompassing a number of areas that saw big swings against Labor at the recent state election.Our electorates are HUGEWA is divided into 16 electorates — two GINORMOUS ones, and the 14 much smaller ones centred in the Perth metro and South-WestDurack is by far the biggest constituency in Australia, covering a land mass of nearly 1.4 million square kilometres, and it takes up 54 per cent of the state.The Kalumburu community in northern Western Australia is part of the vast Durack electorate. ( ABC News: Erin Parke)It covers the entire north-west of the state, from the outer metropolitan fringe at Bullsbrook, all the way through to the northern tip of the state.O'Connor is the other huge electorate and it's also more than a million square kilometres in area, stretching from the far northern Goldfields and remote desert communities of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, through to tranquil Nannup and Bridgetown in the South-West.When will we know the election result?That's a difficult question to answer.Election essentials:Federal election live updates: Get the latest news as Australians head to the pollsKey election promises from Labor and the CoalitionFind out where your nearest voting centre is and how to fill out the ballot paperIn some years, the result has been known before we've even finished voting in the west, thanks to that two-hour time difference with the east coast.That seems unlikely this time, and if it's closer than expected, the make-up of a potentially minority government could take days to determine.Loading...Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link.LoadingPosted 6h ago6 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:20am, updated 46m ago46 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 5:41amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLabor and Greens clash over preferences in ultra-marginal seat of DeakinLIVEPhoto shows Side by side photos of Anthony Albanese and Adam Bandt, both in dark suits, ties and spectaclesDutton finishes campaign with lurch towards Trumpian politicsLAnalysis by Laura TinglePhoto shows Peter Dutton in hi-vis, surrounded by other people.What to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Green ballot papers are tipped out of ballot box.Blackout plunges Bali into darkness 'after subsea cables disrupted'Topic:Tourism and Leisure IndustryPhoto shows Silhouettes of people at a hut watching the sun rise over the sea.Were Erin Patterson's deadly beef Wellingtons a terrible accident or murder?Topic:CourtsPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtPopular nowLabor and Greens clash over preferences in ultra-marginal seat of DeakinLIVEPhoto shows Anthony Albanese and Jodie in a crowd shaking hands What to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Green ballot papers are tipped out of ballot box.What time will a winner be called tonight?Topic:ExplainerPhoto shows Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese smiling on rainbow background.Related topicsALPAustralian Federal ElectionsElectionsLiberal Party of AustraliaPerthTop StoriesLabor and Greens clash over preferences in ultra-marginal seat of DeakinTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Side by side photos of Anthony Albanese and Adam Bandt, both in dark suits, ties and spectaclesDutton finishes campaign with lurch towards Trumpian politicsLAnalysis by Laura TingleWhat to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsBlackout plunges Bali into darkness 'after subsea cables disrupted'Topic:Tourism and Leisure IndustryWere Erin Patterson's deadly beef Wellingtons a terrible accident or murder?Topic:CourtsJust InWhat to watch for tonight as the federal election results roll in Topic:Australian Federal Elections1h ago1 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 4:40amKnights' Origin superstars turn it on, as Sharpe scores birthday hat-trickLIVE6m ago6 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 6:21amBulldogs make a statement with Port Adelaide blow out in BallaratLIVE15m ago15 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 6:12amAustralia to host first three events of 2026 WSL Champions TourTopic:Surfing3h ago3 hours agoSat 3 May 2025 at 2:39amMore Just InBack to top