Publications
Annual reports and other corporate publications
ECSA produces an annual report every financial year detailing activities and providing accountability to stakeholders. The annual report is tabled in Parliament and contains audited financial statements and performance indicators.
We also produce other corporate publications that deal with the strategic and operational aspects of ongoing activities.
Access copies of reports and other associated publications on the annual reports and other corporate publications page.
Brochures, guides and videos
We publish a wide range of materials designed to inform and educate South Australians about our electoral processes. Brochures, guides and videos range in accessibility levels and are produced in multiple languages to cater for everyone.
Find out more on our brochures, guides and videos page.
Election reports
Council elections
After each council election, we produce a report covering all aspects of the election, including a summary of the results.
Access all reports on our council election reports page.
State elections and by-elections
After each state election and by-election, we produce a report which is tabled in Parliament. For state elections, a statistics report is also published.
Access all reports on our state and by-election reports page.
Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act 1991 (the Act) gives members of the public a legally enforceable right to access information held by the South Australian Government, subject to certain conditions.
Application for access
Applications for access or amendments to documents under the Act must be in writing. This can be in a letter or email or on the request for access application form available on the State Records of South Australia website.
In accordance with the Act, applications for access or amendments to documents held by Electoral Commission of South Australia must:
- specify that the application is made under the Freedom of Information Act 1991
- be accompanied by the statutory fee ($40.75 by cheque, money order or cash)
- Exemptions apply for concession holders or for applicants that can demonstrate financial hardship
- Additional charges may be levied in processing a request, dependent on the nature and complexity
- clearly identify the documents being sought or the matter to which they relate
- state whether the application is for access or amendment of documents
- state whether or not the documents contain information of a personal nature
- specify the applicants address
- specify the method of access to the document, such as inspection at an arranged time and location, or having a hard or electronic copy provided.
Applications under the Act should be forwarded to:
Accredited Freedom of Information Officer
Electoral Commission SA
GPO Box 646
Adelaide SA 5000
Or email:
Electoral Commission SA will acknowledge all freedom of information applications within 2 business days. A determination is generally made within 30 days of receipt however in some cases an extension may be granted and this will be advised in writing.
Further information
Any enquires about freedom of information applications should be directed to the accredited freedom of information officer on (08) 7424 7400 during business hours or by email to
Further detail on the freedom of information process and application forms can be found on the State Records for South Australia website.
Internal review
If you are not satisfied with a determination, you can request an internal review. To make an application:
You can write to or send the application to review a decision form to the principal officer within 30 days of receiving your determination and attach the statutory fee of $40.75.
Applications for an internal review should be forwarded to:
Electoral Commissioner
Electoral Commission SA
GPO Box 646
Adelaide SA 5000
Or email:
External review
External review by the Ombudsman
After an internal review is completed and you are not satisfied with the decisions, or where you have been unable to apply for an internal review, you can apply for an external review by the Ombudsman.
You may also request an external review by the Ombudsman if you have no right to an internal review.
The application for review by the Ombudsman should be lodged within 30 days after the date of a determination. The Ombudsman’s office, at their discretion, may extend this time limit.
Investigations by the Ombudsman are free. Further information:
- Phone: 8226 8699
- Phone: 1800 182 150 (toll free, within SA)
- Visit the OmbudsmanSA website.
Appeal to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT)
If you are not satisfied with the decision made by Electoral Commission SA or after a review by the Ombudsman, you can appeal to SACAT.
You must exercise your right of review to SACAT within 30 calendar days after being advised of the determination or the results of the review. Any costs will be determined by SACAT, where applicable.
Further information:
- Phone: 1800 723 767
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Visit the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) website.
Strategic Plan 2017-20
MESSAGE FROM THE ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER
The Electoral Commission of South Australia’s (ECSA) 2017 – 2020 Strategic Plan describes the strategic priorities that will enable us to achieve our purpose of providing high quality electoral services for South Australians.
This plan comes at a time of growing interest in technological innovation, community demands for convenient and accessible voting services and increased public scrutiny of the funding and disclosure of political parties.
To ensure we are positioned to respond to these demands, our strategic priorities focus on delivering high quality election services, community and stakeholder engagement and a renewed investment in electoral research. Importantly this plan also focuses on cultivating a high performing organisation through investment in our staff and infrastructure.
Our annual business plans and individual performance and development agreements will support this plan and ensure ECSA is aligned to deliver the strategic priorities over the next four years.
Strategic Plan 2017-20 (PDF 1.79 MB)
Mick Sherry
ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER
VALUES
Independent:
acting with impartiality and transparency
Professional:
demonstrating respect, integrity and accountability at all times
Innovative:
an agile, creative, engaged and responsive organisation
VISION
Provide excellence in electoral administration
PURPOSE
To provide high quality electoral services for South Australians
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1
Deliver high quality election services
Actions
- Identify and implement improved systems and processes
Outcomes
- Improved elector services
- Efficiencies gained including reduced time frames and costs
Actions
- Successfully deliver electoral events
Outcomes
- Electoral events delivered within designated time frames
- No election challenged and upheld due to administrative error
Actions
- Review election procedures, practices and processes in a timely manner after each electoral event
Outcomes
- Improvements to organisational procedures identified and implemented
- Recommendations for legislative change
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2
Engage the community and stakeholders to promote awareness, participation and compliance in electoral matters
Actions
- Design and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy
Outcomes
- Community groups and stakeholders identified through a stakeholder engagement plan
- Networks and partnerships developed
Actions
- Implement strategies to promote awareness, participation and compliance
Outcomes
- Improved community and stakeholder awareness
- Electoral engagement targets including enrolment, turnout and formality are met
- Stakeholders met compliance obligations
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3
Conduct research into a range of electoral matters
Actions
- Design and implement a comprehensive research strategy
Outcomes
- Useful research topics identified through evidenced based processes
Actions
- Enter into partnerships with other organisations
Outcomes
- Build partnerships and encourage research into electoral matters
- Partnerships deliver wider breadth of research and efficiencies through cost sharing
Actions
- Develop and publish research projects that inform and influence change
Outcomes
- Improved understanding and knowledge of electoral matters
- Research results influence changes to legislation and operational procedures
- Research used or referenced by external stakeholders
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4
Cultivate a high performing values based organisation
Actions
- Align organisation to deliver strategic priorities
Outcomes
- Role descriptions, policies, structure and resource allocation align with strategic priorities
- Staff understand their role and how they contribute to strategic priorities
Actions
- Imbed our values into the organisation
Outcomes
- Recruitment of staff that demonstrate our values
- Values incorporated into decision making, planning and delivery of electoral events
Actions
- Effectively manage performance including recognising and acknowledging staff achievements
Outcomes
- Staff achievements acknowledged through a recognition process
- Performance effectively managed
Actions
- Invest in our staff and infrastructure
Outcomes
- Enhancement of staff skills, knowledge and experience through undertaking training and development opportunities
- Infrastructure adds value to election process
The Deputy Electoral Commissioner
David Gully
David Gully is the Deputy Electoral Commissioner for South Australia and was appointed by the Governor on 16 August 1998.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy, he held the position of Manager, Information and Technology with the then State Electoral Office – now Electoral Commission of South Australia. This appointment followed 12 years’ experience in Information Technologies (IT) and systems development within the South Australian Public Sector, including three years on the development and administration of the State based electoral roll management system, after a private sector career in customer service roles.
Mr Gully's public sector IT experience includes complex systems development and project management roles in election administration, fleet management, investment and financial management, corporate reporting and the implementation of geographic information systems. Mr Gully has a strong commitment to improving service delivery through innovation and process change.
Since appointment to the role of Deputy, Mr Gully has on occasions acted in the role of Electoral Commissioner for extended periods and represented the Commission on the Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand (ECANZ).
Mr Gully served as one of the Commissioners on the Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission for the 2016 redistribution deliberations, having previously acted as the Research Officer during the redistribution of boundaries for the State’s 47 House of Assembly electoral districts in 1998, 2003, 2007 and 2012.