WA election 2025: Voters hit the Albany polls at Town Hall and Mount Lockyer Primary on election day

Election day officially began this morning with Albany voters revealing mixed views on the candidates as the end of a tightly contested and often fraught campaign draws near.

The Advertiser spoke to 15 people outside the Albany Town Hall and Mount Lockyer Primary School on Saturday morning with voters revealing a preference for Nationals candidate Scott Leary and a surprising lack of support for controversial Liberal candidate Thomas Brough.

Murray Marwick was the only person who said he was handing his vote to the Liberals, which he hoped would achieve meaningful results for Albany’s “most vulnerable” community members, including domestic violence survivors and the homeless.

He was far outnumbered by support for Mr Leary with six people backing the “good leader” as local Andrew Hobbs described him.

Labor followed closely behind with five supporters.

“I think Bec Stephens has done a really good job for us particularly the community groups,” Albany voter Phil Gunn said.

“I’m in the volunteer fire and rescue and I feel she’s done more for us than any other candidate, so I’m happy for her to have another go.”

Two fellow Labor voters were less effusive, describing Ms Stephens as the “path of least resistance” and saying they weren’t heavily invested in the election outcome.

Independent candidate Mario Lionetti also received strong support, with three people backing the business owner and city councillor.

“He loves his town and I think he finds everyone in his town is his family, and he wants to look after them,” long-time Albany resident Helen Latter said.

Albany voter Mark Lambert also cast his ballot for Mr Lionetti, hoping the independent would inject “diversity” into Albany’s politics.