Council Elections
In South Australia council elections are conducted by postal ballot every four years. The next election is scheduled to take place in November 2026.
On this page:
Overview
Participating in your local council election is one of the most direct ways you can make a difference to everyday life in your community.
You can influence what happens in your local community in two ways:
- by voting for a candidate who represents your views
- by nominating for a position on Council.
Unlike State and Federal elections, it is not compulsory to vote in South Australian council elections. All voting is done by post and enrolled voters receive a voting package through the mail and return their votes in a reply-paid envelope.
For all information about the 2026 council elections, visit: Local Government Association Council Elections
Key dates
Enrol to vote
For all information about council elections and how to vote, visit: LGA Council Elections
If you are on the South Australian electoral roll, you are entitled to participate in your council elections.
Being registered on the South Australian electoral roll also enables you to enrol on a council’s voters roll if you are a non-resident owner/occupier; the sole owner/occupier business; a landlord or joint owner/occupier. Council elections are open to a broader range of people than state elections.
You must be enrolled to be eligible to vote in the council elections.
To check your current electoral enrolment, visit: AEC: Check my Enrolment
For eligibility and enrolment information, visit: LGA Council Elections
Not on the State Electoral Roll?
Persons not on the State Electoral Roll wishing to vote in the Council Election must submit a written enrolment before 5pm Friday 31 July 2026.
There are three different enrolment forms, one for each of the following categories:
- Form 1 — Natural Person: Non-Resident, Sole Owner or Sole Occupier (tenant)
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.
- Form 2 — Body Corporate: Sole Owner or Sole Occupier (tenant)
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. - Form 3 — Groups Owners or Occupiers (tenants)
For residents whose property is jointly owned or occupied by businesses, individual persons or a combination of both.
Supplementary Roll Forms can be submitted:
By post:
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 204
Kent Town SA 5071
By email: councilelections@npsp.sa.gov.au
Nominate for Council
You can make a difference to everyday life in your community by nominating for Council either for the position of Mayor or Ward Councillor.
Nominations for the 2026 Council Election open Tuesday 25 August 2026.
For more information about nominating, visit: LGA Council Elections
Council Ward and Area Map
Following a representation review, the Council’s number of Elected Members, Ward structure and Ward representation has been amended.
Nominations for the 2026 council elections will be accepted under the new Ward structure as follows.
The future elected body of Council will comprise the Mayor and 11 Ward Councillors.
The Council area will be divided into four wards:
Representation across the Wards will be as follows:
- Payneham/Felixstow, Trinity/Maylands and Kensington/Norwood will each be represented by three Ward Councillors.
- St Peters/Kent Town will be represented by two Ward Councillors.
To find out which Ward you live in, download: Council Ward and Area Map
Vote in council elections
All voting in council Elections is conducted by post.
Enrolled voters receive a voting package through the mail and return their completed ballot paper in the reply paid envelope provided.
For more information about voting, visit: LGA Council Elections
Enquiries
For all council election enquiries, please contact the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA):
Website: ECSA
Telephone 1300 655 232 or send an email
