The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA)’s Feedback and Complaint Policy outlines the definitions, principles and responsibilities with respect to managing feedback (including compliments) and complaints. This policy is intended to ensure that ECSA handles feedback and complaints fairly, efficiently and effectively.

Download ECSA's feedback and complaint policy (PDF, 303KB)

Electoral advertising:

If you are considering making an electoral complaint, please view the relevant electoral advertising page which provides the legislative provisions the complaint is assessed against. 

• Electoral advertising - council elections
• Electoral advertising - state elections

What you can expect from us

• Where contact details are provided, we will acknowledge all feedback and complaints within 2 business days.
• We aim to resolve most complaints within 5 business days.
• In complex matters which cannot be resolved within 5 business days, we will advise on the time frame expected and keep the complainant up-to-date throughout the process.
• We may request information from complainants, respondents and other parties in order for the electoral commissioner to make their determination.  If deadlines for these requests are not met, the electoral commissioner may make a determination without the information.
• We will treat all matters in a fair, unbiased and objective manner. You will not be adversely affected if you make a complaint.
• Any personal information provided in your feedback or complaint will be managed in accordance with relevant legal and policy requirements. 

We will be clear about how a complaint has been resolved. Where a complaint remains unresolved or cannot be resolved satisfactorily, we will provide information about how our handling of a complaint can be reviewed or appealed.

Confidentiality

We treat complaints and feedback confidentially, however in some circumstances may be required to disclose information to resolve the complaint or feedback.

Where the parties involved in a complaint have publicised the matter, the electoral commissioner may confirm the existence of a complaint with the media, but will not discuss the details.

We may make public comment regarding feedback and complaints, in order to ensure electors are aware of a situation and or have accurate information.

Still not satisfied?

Service complaints

If the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction then you can contact the Ombudsman SA.

The ombudsman is available to help people who have complaints against the administrative actions of Government of South Australia departments or agencies. You can contact the ombudsman using one of the folling options:

• Phone: 08 8226 8699
• Phone: 1800 182 150 (outside metro SA only)
• Website: ombudsman.sa.gov.au

Please note that if you have not attempted to resolve the issue with ECSA, the ombudsman's office may request that you do so before they formally record or investigate your complaint.

Electoral complaints

There are no review or appeal avenues provided for by legislation.

Note: Matters about the conduct and practice of public officers and public authorities in South Australian public administration, specifically corruption, misconduct and maladministration, can be reported via the Office for Public Integrity.

SA First Nations Voice Election

Feedback and complaints regarding the SA First Nations Voice Election will be handled in accordance with the Feedback and complaint Policy – SA First Nations Voice to Parliament election and can be made using the online Complaint Form.

• Online Complaint Form
• Feedback and complaint Policy – SA First Nations Voice to Parliament election (PDF 230KB)

Complaints made in relation to a person’s eligibility to participate in this election will be investigated, however the Electoral Commissioner does not have any power to remove a candidate from an election, or remove a vote from the electoral process. Any action which may be able to be taken will occur after the election. These complaints will be acknowledged but ECSA won’t be able to provide responses or updates on them.

Following the elections, electors and candidates may be able to lodge a petition with the Court of Disputed Returns to challenge the validity of an election.

For more information, visit: savoiceelection.sa.gov.au/complaints

Media enquiries

Media alerts, releases and statements

2025

General media and news 

10/04/2025 Voter Education for Adult Migrant South Australians

25/03/2025 EDUCATION Taking democracy to the classroom | Regional Road Trip

Council media and news

24/04/2025 - NOTICE | CITY OF ADELAIDE Close of Roll for Supplementary Election

11/04/2025 - MEDIA | CITY OF ADELAIDE Central Ward Supplementary Election to occur

03/04/2025 - 2022 Council Election Report is now available

SA Voice Supplementary election media and news

28/03/2025 Results for the Local SA Voice Member Elections; Results

14 March 2025 MEDIA ALERT Voting in the SA Voice Region 1; Voting

11 March 2025 MEDIA ALERT Early voting centres for SA Voice Region 1; Early voting

03 March 2025 MEDIA ALERT Postal voting applications for SA Voice Region 1; Postal voting

24 February 2025 MEDIA ALERT Candidates for 2025 SA Voice Supplementary Election; Candidates

28 January 2025 SA Voice Supplementary Elections; Nominations

07 January 2025 SA Voice Supplementary Elections

2024

General media and news 

23/12/2024 MEDIA STATEMENT: Adelaide Plains - Result of second petition

18/12/2024 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: 1894 Adult Suffrage Bill | A moment in time

12/12/2024 Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission Redistribution Report

10/12/2024 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Human Rights Day

04/12/2024 MEDIA STATEMENT: Adelaide Plains - Result of petition

02/12/2024 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD)

Black by-election media and news

26/11/2024 Declaration of results

25/11/2024 Declaration of results invitation

15/11/2024 Eligible early voters encouraged

5/11/2024 Engaging first time youth voters

4/11/2024 Options to vote early

1/11/2024 Declaration of nominations

29/10/2024 Candidate ballot paper draw

28/10/2024 Electoral roll closes today

28/10/2024 Declared Institutions

22/10/2024 Reminder to enrol or update enrolment

18/10/2024 New Candidates

2023

7/12/2023 Media Statement City of Adelaide Central Ward Election

2022

Media Release - Record numbers expected to vote - 2 Mar 2022 (PDF, 109KB)
Media Release - All South Australians can vote safely - 15 Feb 2022
Media Release - Delivering a safe election - 8 Feb 2022
Media Release - COVID safety at the 2022 State Election - 3 Feb 2022

2019

Media Release - Text message to electors about by-elections - 8 Feb 2019
Media Release - Reminder to Vote - 6 Feb 2019
Media Release - Close of Nominations - Declaration of candidates - 24 Jan 2019

2018

Council Media Release - 2018 Council elections results update - 12 Nov 2018
Council Media Release - Last chance to vote in Council elections - 1 Nov 2018
Council Media Release - Distribution of ballot papers - 19 Oct 2018
Council Media Release - Passing of Candidate - 8 Oct 2018
Council Media Release - Record number of candidates for 2018 Council elections - 19 Sept 2018
Council Media Release - Nominations closing for 2018 Council elections - 12 Sep 2018
Council Media Release - Nominations open for Council elections - 4 Sep 2018
Council Media Release - 2018 Council Elections - 27 Jul 2018
Council Media Release - Last chance to enrol for Council Elections - 6 August 2018
Media Release - Count and results - 16 Mar 2018
Media Release - Pre-poll & Glynde matter - 05 Mar 2018
Media Release - Misleading information to South Australian voters - 28 Feb 2018
Media Release - Record number of electors - 26 Feb 2018
Media Release - Declaration of candidates and ballot draws - 26 Feb 2018
Media Release - Last chance to enrol - 22 Feb 2018
Media Release - EasyVote Card App - 12 Feb 2018
Media Release - New voting option for vision-impaired electors - 12 Feb 2018

The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) is an independent agency and aims to ensure that demands for electoral services and participation in the democratic processes have been met fairly, honestly and within the law. The minister responsible is the Special Minister of State. ECSA provides professional and impartial electoral services for South Australians.

In 1907 the State Electoral Department was created as an independent office responsible for the conduct and administration of parliamentary elections in South Australia. The State Electoral Department became the State Electoral Office in 1993 and the Electoral Commission SA in 2009. The Electoral Commission of South Australia was the first electoral administration in the world to use computer technology to produce an electoral roll, the first prototype roll scanner, and the development and use of cardboard ballot boxes and voting compartments. We are constantly reviewing our work practices to ensure the quality of our electoral services and products.

What we do

The Electoral Commission of South Australia is legislatively responsible for:

• conducting and administering elections,
• ensuring electors are enrolled to vote,
• registering political parties, and
• maintaining the electoral roll in conjunction with the Australian Electoral Commission.

The Electoral Commission of South Australia's main functions are to conduct:

• State and Council elections every four years, including House of Assembly by-elections and council supplementary elections,
• to provide community awareness programs on the electoral system, and,
• to conduct elections for statutory authorities such as the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Executive Board, Super SA, Super SA Select, Funds SA, the Architectural Practice Board of South Australia, and the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board.

In addition, the Electoral Commission of South Australia also conducts fee-for-service elections and ballots for other organisations that require the appointment of an independent returning officer. These elections are generally conducted by post and include the election of office-bearers to committees and boards and also the conduct of enterprise agreement ballots.

The Electoral Commission SA conducts the entire election process in accordance with the organisation's constitution and/or election rules. Where the election rules are deficient, the Electoral Commission SA may provide advice on established electoral practices and processes, such as:

• provision of a list of eligible voters,
• nominations,
• methods of voting,
• informality,and
• counting procedures.

To conduct an election or ballot, the organisation must provide the Electoral Commission SA a certified list of eligible voters.

For further information visit our publications page.

The Electoral Commissioner of South Australia, Mick Sherry

Mick Sherry was appointed as the Electoral Commissioner of South Australia on 20 February 2017.

He served as one of the Commissioners on the 2020 and 2024 South Australian Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission and is currently Chair of the Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand (ECANZ). 

Prior to his appointment as Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sherry held roles at the state and federal level including with South Australia Police, the Western Australia Royal Commission into Police Corruption, the Corruption and Crime Commission of Western Australia and the Victorian Office of Police Integrity. 

In 2015 Mr Sherry was appointed as the Australian Electoral Officer for the Northern Territory and Manager of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Northern Territory office. During his time with the AEC, he was responsible for the conduct of the 2016 federal election in the Northern Territory and the 2016 redistribution of electoral divisions in the Northern Territory.

Mr Sherry holds several tertiary qualifications including a Master of Arts and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

The Deputy Electoral Commissioner of South Australia, Alice Cashen

Alice Cashen was appointed to the role of Deputy Commissioner on October 5, 2023.