Elections

By-elections

A by-election is held when a seat in the House of Assembly of the South Australian Parliament becomes vacant. A by-election can occur at any time, so it is important to keep your name and address up to date on the electoral roll. If a by-election is held in the electoral district in which you are enrolled, it is compulsory to vote.

Council elections

In South Australia, whole of state council elections (called periodic elections) are held every 4 years for all 68 councils except the Municipal Council of Roxby Downs, which operates under its own administration. The next periodic council elections will take place in November 2026.

If an elected position on a council becomes vacant between periodic elections, ECSA may conduct a supplementary election (often described as a by-election). A vacancy can occur due to death, illness, resignation, or any other circumstances according to the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999.

For general information about standing as a candidate for an elected position on council, visit our council candidates page.

For more information about council elections, including who is eligible to vote and how the elections are conducted, visit our  council election fast facts page.

Note; ECSA also conducts polls for councils when a community decision must be made.

Council voters roll

If you are correctly enrolled for state elections in South Australia, you are automatically included on the council voters roll and will receive ballot papers through the post. All election materials, including your ballot papers, are mailed directly to the postal address you provided on the electoral roll. The mailout of postal voting packs begins after nominations close.

Learn more about the council voters roll (including eligibility criteria for the council supplementary roll) using the following link: