Following the passing of legislation to delay the 2026 Periodic Local Government Elections, South Australians will now vote in council elections in April 2027.
The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) has released the revised election timetable, with the SA electoral roll and Council Voters rolls closing at 5pm Monday 4 January 2027. Candidate nominations will open on 26 January 2027 and close at 12 noon 9 February 2027.
Ballot packs will be mailed to enrolled voters between 11 and 17 March 2027, with voting closing at 5pm Wednesday 7 April 2027.
Voters are encouraged to check their enrolment details to ensure ballot papers are sent to the correct mailing address. Instructions on how and where to return completed ballot papers will be included in each ballot pack.
More information regarding dates: https://www.councilelections.sa.gov.au/about/key-dates
The revised election schedule follows requests by Acting Electoral Commissioner Leah McLay to postpone the election to allow time to consider any recommendations arising from the independent review into ECSA's delivery of the March 2026 State Election and First Nations Voice to Parliament Election by Federal Commissioner Mr Tom Rogers AO.
Previous statement about delay: https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/lg-news/media-centre-lga-09062026