Elections

Enrol

Nominate

Vote

You must be enrolled to be eligible to vote or to nominate to become a candidate in your Council elections.

Enrol as a resident or renter

If you live in the Council area, you must be enrolled on the State electoral roll to vote.

Enrolled residents will automatically receive ballot papers (mailed to their registered address) to participate in Council elections.

It's important that your enrolment is up to date by Monday 4 January 2027.

The state electoral roll is managed by the Electoral Commission of South Australia. New enrolments or changes to enrolments can be made on a hard copy form (available from your local Post Office) or online:

• Enrol on the state electoral roll
• Check your enrolment details
• Update your enrolment details

Enrol as a non-resident property owner, business or body corporate

If you live outside the Council area but own a ratable property in the area as an individual, business or body corporate, you may be eligible to vote.

To apply to be included on the Council voters' roll, you must be both enrolled on the State electoral roll and complete and submit the relevant form below. Applications must be received by the Council by Monday 4 January 2027.

1. Form 1: Application for enrolment for a non-resident sole owner or occupier: For a non-resident owner/occupier who owns property in the Council area; is the only owner/occupier (tenant) and does not live or occupy that property.
2. Form 2 – Application for Enrolment for a Body Corporate: For sole business owners or sole occupiers who occupy any type of rateable property in a council area and on the assessment record at the Council.
3. Form 3 – Application for Group Owners or Occupiers: For residents whose property is jointly owned or occupied by businesses, individual persons or a combination of both.

The 2026 Council Voter Roll purge occurred on 1 January 2026. Therefore, non-resident property owners, businesses and groups must re-enrol before 4 January 2027 to vote.

More information

Further information on enrolment can be found on the Council Elections website.

Becoming a councillor is an opportunity to contribute positively to your community. It's a rewarding and challenging role which requires commitment, responsibility and accountability.

The Mayor and Councillors receive an annual allowance and are elected for a 4-year term.

Eligibility to nominate for Council

You can nominate for council no matter your qualifications, religion, race, gender, work or life experience, or profession.

If you’re an Australian citizen, over 18, and enrolled to vote in the Council area, you’re likely to be eligible to nominate.

Deciding to nominate for Council

Not sure if becoming a Councillor is right for you? A candidate handbook and a free online course are available to give you an introduction to what councils do, the roles and responsibilities of Council Members and how to be an effective community leader.

How to nominate

Nominating involves completing a nomination form and preparing a candidate profile.

Learn how to prepare and submit your nomination on the Council Elections website.

Nominations open on Tuesday 26 January 2027, and close on Tuesday 9 February 2027.

Running your campaign

Candidates can campaign to share their background, priorities and ideas with voters and encourage them to vote.

Campaigning must follow South Australian electoral laws and council election rules, including requirements around authorisations, donations and advertising. Donation disclosure returns are required at prescribed times.

Campaign material must be accurate and properly authorised.

Learn more about running your campaign and preparing election materials on the Council Elections website.

Campaign laws and regulations

When planning and running your campaign, your electoral material must comply with relevant legislation and regulations.

Learn more about campaign laws and regulations on the Council Elections website.

Voting is your chance to influence how your community grows, changes, and is supported over the next four years.

Voting in council elections isn’t compulsory - but your community is worth it.

How to vote

Voting in council elections is by post or, if you are eligible, by telephone. This makes elections easy and convenient for anyone to cast their vote.

All enrolled voters will receive their voting ballot pack in the mail. It will be sent to the postal address recorded on your enrolment.

Complete your vote and return your ballot papers by mail in the reply-paid envelope. The Electoral Commission SA's address is pre-printed on the reply-paid envelope. Learn more about how to vote on the  Council Elections website.

Your ballot must arrive prior to the voting close date of 5 pm on Wednesday 7 April 2027. It's recommended that you post your vote before Tuesday 6 April 2027.

Unable to vote

There may be instances where you're unable to receive your ballot pack or mail your ballot pack to cast your vote. However, you may still be able to vote in your council election.

Learn more about being unable to vote on the  Council Elections website.

Any individual or organisation can make a complaint about an electoral offence under the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999. This includes complaints about:

• service provided by electoral commission staff
• media matters
• candidate advertising
• late arrival or missing ballot papers
• election processes.

The complaint must be made in writing and submitted, with supporting evidence, to the Electoral Commissioner, who will consider each complaint.

You can lodge a complaint online.