Participating in your local Council Elections is your chance to shape your community’s future.

Council decisions affect everyday life from roads, infrastructure and parks to libraries and community services.

In South Australia, the community elects their council members every four years. The next Council Elections will be held in April 2027 (previously scheduled for November 2026).

Unlike State and Federal elections, it is not compulsory to vote in Council Elections and voting is done by post. Enrolled voters receive a voting pack through the mail and return their votes in a reply-paid envelope.

For more information about the rules for council elections, visit the Electoral Commission of South Australia’s Council elections page.

2027 Council Election key dates:

• Voters roll closes – 5pm on Monday, 4 January 2027
• Candidate nominations open – Tuesday, 26 January 2027
• Candidate nominations close – 12pm on Tuesday, 9 February 2027
• Mail out of voting ballot packs – Thursday, 11 March 2027 to Wednesday, 17 March 2027
• Close of voting (polling day) – 5pm on Wednesday, 7 April 2027
• Scrutiny and count – Saturday, 10 April 2027

For further information on the election timeframe, click here