Council Elections
Participating in your local council election is one of the most direct ways you can make a difference to everyday life in your community.
The next South Australian council elections were scheduled for November 2026. Following a request from the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) and a decision by the State Government, the elections will instead be held in April 2027.
Unlike State and Federal elections, voting in South Australian council elections is not compulsory. Voting is conducted by post, with enrolled voters receiving a ballot pack in the mail.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
On this page:
Key dates
| EVENT | DATE |
|---|---|
| Candidate Information Session | 6 pm Tuesday 1 December 2026 Council Chambers, 1 Charles Street, Yankalilla |
| Voter's Roll Close | 5 pm Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Candidate Nominations Open | Tuesday 26 January 2027 |
| Candidate Nominations Close | 12 noon Tuesday 9 February 2027 |
| Ballot Packs mail-out period | Thursday 11 March to Wednesday 17 March 2027 |
| Close of Voting (Polling Day) | 5 pm Wednesday 7 April 2027 |
| Scrutiny and Count | 9 am Saturday 10 April 2027 |
Enrol to vote
More people may be eligible to vote in council elections than in State and Federal elections.
If you are on the State Electoral Roll
If you are enrolled on the State (House of Assembly) Electoral Roll at an address within the District Council of Yankalilla area, you will automatically be enrolled to vote in the council election.
Ballot packs will be mailed to enrolled voters between Thursday 11 March and Wednesday 17 March 2027.
If you are not on the State Electoral Roll
You may still be eligible to vote if you:
- own a rateable property in the Council area, even if you do not live there
- occupy a property in the Council area
- represent a body corporate, such as a business or organisation
- represent a group that owns or occupies a property.
If you are not on the State Electoral Roll within the District Council of Yankalilla area, you may need to apply to be included on Council's Supplementary Roll by 5 pm Monday 4 January 2027.
Supplementary Roll
People who are not on the State Electoral Roll but are eligible to vote in the council election must apply to be included on Council's Supplementary Roll.
There are three different enrolment forms, depending on your circumstances:
- Form 1 - Natural Person - an actual person who is a non-resident, sole owner or sole occupier (tenant) of a property in the District Council of Yankalilla.
- Form 2 - Body Corporate - a business/company that is a resident, sole owner or sole occupier of a property in the District Council of Yankalilla.
- Form 3 - Group - a group of natural persons and/or body corporates that own or occupy a property in the District Council of Yankalilla.
Completed Supplementary Roll forms can be submitted:
By email: council@yankalilla.sa.gov.au
By post: District Council of Yankalilla, PO Box 9, Yankalilla SA 5203
Supplementary Roll requirements:
- Anyone completing an application must be aged 18 years or over
- Groups and body corporates must nominate a person to vote on their behalf
For more information about enrolling to vote, visit the Council Elections SA website.
Nominate for Council
You can make a difference to everyday life in your community by nominating for Council.
Nominations for the 2027 Periodic Election open Tuesday 26 January 2027 and close at 12 noon Tuesday 9 February 2027.
If you're considering nominating in the 2027 Council Elections, the Nomination Guide brings together the key information you need in one place.
More information about eligibility, how to nominate and candidate requirements is available from the Council Elections SA website.
Candidate information session
If you're considering nominating for Council in the 2027 Council Elections, come along to our Candidate Information Session to learn more about the role of a Council Member and what to expect as a candidate.
Council Chambers
1 Charles Street, Yankalilla
If you plan to attend, please complete the Candidate Information Session registration form and return it to Council's Governance and Policy Officer:
- by email to council@yankalilla.sa.gov.au
- in person at the Council office
Voting
All voting in Council Elections is conducted by post.
Ballot packs will be mailed to enrolled voters between Thursday 11 March and Wednesday 17 March 2027.
Complete your ballot paper by following the instructions included in your ballot pack and return it using the reply-paid envelope provided.
Voting closes at 5 pm Wednesday 7 April 2027.
For more information about voting, including how to complete and return your ballot, visit the Council Elections SA website.
More information
Local Government Association of SA: Local Government Elections
Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA)
This content is authorised by Nathan Cunningham, 1 Charles Street, Yankalilla SA 5203