We're visiting the west coast of SA
This week we're visiting the west coast of SA!
- Monday 16 October in Koonibba
- Tuesday 17 October in Oak Valley
- Wednesday 18 October in Yalata
- Thursday 19 October in Scotdesco
- What it is;
- How it's different from the Federal Referendum;
- How to become a candidate in the SA Voice Election;
- How, when and where to vote.
Find out more by visiting: savoiceelection.sa.gov.au
Reminder for donors and party agents
DONORS
Donors are reminded that if they have made gifts with amounts or values of more than $5,838 between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023 to either:
- a registered political party, associated entity or third party (‘relevant entity’); or
- a person or body with the intention of benefitting a relevant entity,
they are required to lodge a donor return by Monday 31 July 2023 via the funding and disclosure portal.
PARTY AGENTS
Party agents are reminded that they must inform donors of the requirement to lodge a return in relation to a gift to a registered political party.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure and Registration Branch at
2022 State Election Report released today
Today, the report for the 2022 South Australian state election and the Bragg by-election was tabled in Parliament. The report provides many recommendations for consideration by the South Australian Parliament.
First campaign donations return due for Flinders Ranges Council supplementary election
Candidates can now lodge their first campaign donations return using the candidate portal. Returns must be lodged between 15 June 2023 and 22 June 2023.
The form can be downloaded and lodged using the portal; alternatively, if you require a hard copy, please contact
A return must be lodged regardless of whether you have received gifts with an amount or value in excess of $500 or not. If you have not received any gifts you must lodge a NIL return.
Penalties may apply if the return is not lodged.
Candidates declared for Flinders Ranges Council supplementary election
At the close of nominations at 12 noon on Thursday 8 June 2023, a total of 3 nominations were received and accepted for the Flinders Ranges Council supplementary election. In accordance with the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, a draw was held to determine the order of candidate names to appear on the ballot paper.
Ballot packs
Ballot packs are automatically mailed to your postal address from Tuesday 27 June to Monday 3 July 2023. Most electors receive one postal ballot pack; however, people who have properties or businesses may receive more than one pack.
Nominations for the Flinders Ranges Council supplementary election close at noon today
The draw for positions on the ballot paper will be streamed live from noon.
Nominations are open for the Flinders Ranges Council supplementary election
A supplementary election will be held for an area councillor position in the Flinders Ranges Council. Nominations are now open and will close at 12 noon on Thursday 8 June 2023. You must be enrolled in the council area to stand as a candidate.
A free-webinar base briefing session will be held on Tuesday 30 May from 5:30 pm.
Register now!Second campaign donation returns due for 2023 supplementary council elections
Candidates who stood in contested local government supplementary elections in Copper Coast, Kimba, Mount Remarkable, Northern Areas, Southern Mallee, Tumby Bay and Wudinna are reminded that they must lodge their second campaign donation return from today (5 April 2023). The return must be lodged by 19 April 2023.
A partly completed copy of the return has been issued to all relevant candidates. Alternatively, the return form can be downloaded and lodged electronically on the candidate portal, or if you require a hard copy version of the form, please contact
A return must be lodged regardless of whether you were elected or not. If you have not received gifts with an amount or value in excess of $500, you should lodge a nil return.
Penalties may apply if this return is not lodged. Candidates elected as members of council are also subject to their position becoming vacant if they do not lodge within the period prescribed by the Local Government Act 1999.
Counting is underway in the 2023 supplementary elections
Counting has commenced for the 7 supplementary council elections with a provisional declaration made later today. An unsuccessful candidate may request a recount within 72 hours after the provisional declaration. The request must be made in writing to the returning officer with information supporting the request.
Alternatively, the returning officer may initiate a recount.
First campaign donation returns due for 2023 supplementary council elections
Candidates are reminded that they must lodge their first campaign donation return today (10 February 2023).
The return forms can be downloaded and lodged electronically on the candidate portal.
Alternatively, if you require a hard copy version of the form, please contact
A return must be lodged regardless of whether you have received gifts with an amount or value in excess of $500 or not. If you have not, you should lodge a NIL return.
Penalties may apply if this return is not lodged.
Half yearly returns for donors due
Donors are reminded that if they have made gifts with amounts or values of more than $5,838 between 1 July 2022 and 31 December 2022 to:
- a registered political party, associated entity or third party ('relevant entity'); or
- a person or body with the intention of benefitting a relevant entity,
they are required to lodge a donor return by Tuesday 31 January 2023.
These returns can be lodged via the funding and disclosure portal.
Party agents are also reminded that they must inform donors of the requirement to lodge a return in relation to a gift to a registered political party.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch at
Campaign donation returns are now due for candidates that contested the 2022 Council Elections
Candidates are reminded that they must lodge their second campaign donation return no later than 19 December 2022.
If you are a City of Adelaide candidate, you must also lodge a campaign expenditure return by the same date. The return forms can be downloaded and lodged electronically on the candidate portal.
Alternatively, if you require a hard copy version of the form, please contact
The return must be lodged even if you were not elected to council. If you did not receive any donations in excess of $500, or (for City of Adelaide candidates only) if you did not incur campaign expenditure in excess of $500, you must lodge a ‘nil’ return.
SA Party - Stop Overdevelopment & Corruption is now deregistered
SA Party – Stop Overdevelopment & Corruption has been de-registered under section 45 of the Electoral Act 1985.
Notice of the de-registration was published in the South Australian Government Gazette on 8 December 2022.
Counting is underway in the 2022 Council Elections
Voting in the 2022 Council Elections has officially closed
The scrutiny and count of votes will begin at 9:00 am on Saturday 12 November at the locations appointed by each council.
From 9:00 am, deputy returning officers will coordinate the initial process of removing declaration flaps from declaration envelopes, and then extracting and reconciling ballot papers. Once completed, ballot papers will be checked for formality. For some councils, this may take several hours.
Preference distributions will begin following the formality check, commencing with any mayoral count. All mayoral counts are expected to be completed on Saturday. Deputy returning officers will then conduct a distribution to first preferences for any counts selected for data entry, which has been previously communicated to the relevant candidates. Remaining counts will then be completed, with larger councils returning from 9:00 am on Sunday 13 November to continue.
Provisional declarations will be made at the conclusion of the count for each election and results will be available on our website throughout the day.
Today is your last day to vote in the 2022 Council Elections
You have until 5:00 pm today to complete your ballot papers and return them in time to be included in the count.
For your convenience, ballot boxes are available at your local council office where you can drop off your declaration envelope. Councils will coordinate the return of your ballot to the Electoral Commission of SA.
Contact your local council office to arrange the return of your ballot papers.
It's time to vote in the 2022 Council Elections
Haven't received your ballot pack?
Ballot packs were mailed to your postal address from Friday 14 October to Thursday 20 October 2022. If you have not received your ballot material please contact the call centre on 1300 655 232. The last day you can apply for replacement voting material is at 5:00 pm on Thursday 3 November 2022. Alternatively, complete the relevant form and email it to us by 5:00 pm on Thursday 3 November.
You can request a replacement ballot pack if the original material was:
- not received
- destroyed or lost
- spoiled
- issued for an incorrect ward.
Ballot packs are on their way!
Voting in council elections is conducted by post. All election materials, including your ballot papers, are mailed directly to the postal address you provided on the electoral roll. The mailout of ballot packs has started and will continue until Thursday 20 October 2022.
View campaign donation returns submitted by council candidates
Candidates for election to an office of a council must provide campaign donation returns and large gift returns within a prescribed period. The first campaign donation return lodgement period was between 27 September and 4 October.
Candidate returns can be viewed alongside their profiles using the following link:
View the disclosure requirements and disclosure periods and dates for lodgement using the following links:
Campaign donation returns due now!
The first campaign donation return must be lodged by all local government election candidates between 27 September and 4 October 2022.
Copies of the disclosure returns for lodgement are now available in the candidate portal under disclosure returns.
Public holiday - Thursday 22 September
The ECSA office is closed on Thursday 22 September for the National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. The office will re-open at 9:00 am on Friday 23 September 2022.
Council nominations now closed
Advance SA de-registered
Advance SA has been de-registered pursuant to a voluntary application for de-registration under section 44 of the Electoral Act 1985.
Notice of the de-registration was published in the Government Gazette on 25 August 2022.
Nominations are open for the 2022 Council Elections
Rolls close Friday 29 July for the 2022 Council Elections
State electoral 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.
If you need to check our update your enrolment you can choose one of the following options:
- Check my enrolment
- Enrol online (first-time voters or to get back on the roll)
- Update my details online (for updates to your address, name or other contact details)
Council supplementary roll
If you are not enrolled on the state electoral roll you may be eligible to register on the council supplementary roll if you are:
- a resident or a non-Australian citizen who has lived at your residential address for one month or more
- an owner of an organisation or business
- an owner of a holiday home
- a sole owner, or group of owners, of a rateable property
- a sole occupier, or group of occupiers, of a rateable property
- a landlord of rateable property.
In accordance with section 15(5a) of the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, council must purge the council's supplementary roll on 1 January of every election year. Therefore, all landlords, organisations, business owners or occupiers, and resident non-Australian citizens, must re-enrol from January 1 of every election year to be eligible to vote, with the exception of the City of Adelaide.
If you wish to enrol on the council supplementary roll, visit the Local Government Association's website for more information and enrolment forms.
Bragg By-election: Distribution of preferences and declaration of result
A final count of declaration votes was undertaken on Saturday 9 July after the deadline for receipt of postal votes. The full distribution of preferences was conducted on Sunday 10 July.
Declaration of election results
When: Monday 11 July at 11:00 am
Where: Burnside Town Hall
401 Greenhill Rd, Tusmore
Bragg By-election: Early and postal votes counted this week
Early and postal votes (called declaration votes) are validated against the electoral roll before they are counted. Once added to the count, first preference and 2CP results are updated to the results website.
Bragg By-election: Sunday re-check counts
The day after the election –always a Sunday in South Australia - every vote counted on election night is counted again under the supervision of the returning officer.
The returning officer also looks closely at all the ballot papers that were placed in the informal pile on election night. Some ballot papers may in fact be formal and can be counted. Some ballot papers that don’t have all the preferences marked on them can be accepted as formal if they match a voting ticket lodged by a candidate.
Any updates to the results after the re-checks have been done are published on the ECSA website and in the media.
Bragg By-election: Polling day this Saturday
Polling booths are open this Saturday from 8:00 am until 6: 00 pm. Find your nearest location on our election day voting locations page.
Can't vote on Saturday?
An early voting centre is open this week until Friday 1 July, with extended hours on Thursday night. View location and operating hours in the table below.
Remember voting is compulsory.
| Location | Dates | Opening hours |
Glen Osmond Baptist Church  312 Glen Osmond Rd Myrtle Bank SA 5064 |
Monday 27 June to Wednesday 29 June Thursday 30 June Friday 1 July |
9:00 am to 6:00 pm 9:00 am to 8:00 pm 9:00 am to 6:00 pm |
Candidates declared by Bragg By-election
Nominations closed at 12:00 noon today with the declaration and draw for positions on the ballot paper conducted soon after.
A total of 6 candidates were nominated for the election of one member for the House of Assembly district of Bragg.
Nominations close at 12:00 noon on Friday 17 June for Bragg candidates
Independent candidates contesting the Bragg by-election have until 12:00 noon on Friday 17 June to nominate.
Independent candidates must be nominated by at least 20 persons who are enrolled and qualified to vote in the same district the candidate is intending to contest.
Nominations must be accompanied by a deposit of $1,000 in a banker's cheque (not a personal cheque) or electronic funds transfer (EFT) to the Electoral Commission of South Australia. If EFT is made you must provide a printed receipt showing successful lodgement of payment.
You must lodge the following with the returning officer for the district you are proposing to contest before the close of nominations:
- A completed nomination form
- The details and signatures of at least 20 nominators who are electors enrolled in the district you’re intending to contest
- A $1,000 deposit (banker’s cheque or EFT)
Find out more information on our House of Assembly candidates page.
Electoral roll closes today for Bragg By-election
The Bragg By-election is on Saturday 2 July 2022. If you have recently moved into, or out of, the Bragg electoral district, changed your name or want to add your email or phone number to your enrolment details you must do so by 5:00 pm today.
The electoral roll closes today, Tuesday 14 June at 5:00 pm.
Bragg By-election funding cut-off for unendorsed new candidates
A by-election for the House of Assembly district of Bragg was announced on Wednesday 1 June 2022. Those intending to contest the Bragg By-election are reminded to observe the cut-off times under the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act) if they wish to apply to participate in the election funding scheme.
Only unendorsed (i.e. independent) new candidates are now eligible to participate in the election funding scheme.
A certificate under section 130Y must be lodged on or before 5:00 pm on the day on which the person announces their candidacy or nominates, whichever occurs first, by the agent for any unendorsed (i.e. independent) candidate who is a ‘new candidate’ and has not already announced their candidacy for the 2022 Bragg By-election.
‘New candidate’ has the meaning set out in section 130ZF(5)(b) of the Act which states that a person is a new candidate if they have not been a candidate for a House of Assembly election within 5 years before polling day or a candidate for a Legislative Council election within 9 years before polling day.
Copies of the section 130Y certificates can be found on the funding and disclosure forms page and must be lodged with ECSA either in person or by email to
Local government council elections will be held in November this year
Voting in council elections is conducted by 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.
Make sure your current postal address is included on your electoral enrolment. Update your details now at www.aec.gov.au.
2022 federal election - Saturday 21 May
Voting in the federal election is compulsory. If you can't make it to a polling booth on Saturday 21 May, you can vote at your nearest early voting centre up until 6:00 pm on Friday 20 May.
Find your nearest polling booth using the Australian Electoral Commission's interactive map - https://www.aec.gov.au/election/voting.htm#start
More election information can be found at www.aec.gov.au or cal 13 23 26.
2022 federal election announced
The 2022 federal election has been announced for Saturday 21 May 2022. You must be correctly enrolled by 8:00 pm local time Monday 18 April 2022.
Final House of Assembly district results
Final counts and distribution of preferences
Final counts and distribution of preferences in each district are completed before each returning officer conducts the declaration of election results this week. The Legislative Council results will be declared in the next few weeks.
View all results on our dedicated election results page.
What's happening this week with all the ballot papers?
Postal, early and declaration votes are counted from the Monday after polling day.
Declaration vote counts
Most votes are counted on election night. But postal votes, early votes and all other types of declaration votes are not counted until the week after polling day.
Before they can be counted, tens of thousands of early votes need to be securely transported to our central processing centre, sorted and then delivered to the returning officer for each district. Tens of thousands of postal votes arriving from South Australia, interstate and overseas will be delivered to returning officers each day by Australia Post until the Saturday 7 days after polling day.
All these ballot papers need to be validated against the electoral roll before we can count them. Returning officers count them progressively during the week after polling day. The counting process for declaration votes is no different to the process described above. Returning officers continue to update the first preference results and 2CP results throughout the week, as more ballot papers get added to the count.
Learn more about how the ballot papers are counted.
A full re-check of ballot papers is happening today
The day after the election –always a Sunday in South Australia - every vote counted on election night is counted again under the supervision of the returning officer for each electoral district.
The returning officer also looks closely at all the ballot papers that were placed in the informal pile on election night. Some ballot papers may in fact be formal and can be counted. Some ballot papers that don’t have all the preferences marked on them can be accepted as formal if they match a voting ticket lodged by a candidate.
Any updates to the results after the re-checks have been done are published on the ECSA website and in the media.
Voting tickets
At House of Assembly elections, candidates can provide ECSA with their preferred order of preferences among all the candidates on the ballot paper. This ‘voting ticket’ is used during the count whenever a voter has numbered some but not all the preferences on their ballot paper, and their preferences match their number 1 candidate’s voting ticket. When this occurs, their ballot paper is ‘saved’ from being informal and is added to the count.
Counting is underway in the 2022 State Election
Polling booths are now closed and counting is underway in the 2022 State Election. For the House of Assembly, a first preference count is conducted followed by a two-candidate preferred count. Learn more about how the votes are counted on our counting the votes for the House of Assembly page.
A count of first preferences is conducted for the Legislative Council on election night. Learn how the votes are counted on our counting the votes for the Legislative Council page.
Didn't vote?
If you did not vote at the election, you must contact the Electoral Commission SA with a valid and sufficient reason. Complete the enquiry form with your reason for not voting.
Polling booths open Saturday 19 March from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm
A total of 690 polling booths open across the state on Saturday 19 March. Booths open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Make sure you take your EasyVote card (or the election app), a mask and your own pen or pencil.
Unable to vote tomorrow?
If you are unable to attend a polling booth tomorrow between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, you may be eligible to vote at an early voting centre. Centres are open today until 6:00 pm.
There are also options for those voters located interstate or overseas.
Find your nearest centre on our early voting centre page or use our interactive map which shows you all your nearby voting centres.
Last days to apply for a postal vote
Do you need to apply for a postal vote?
The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday 17 March at 5:00 pm. Voters are encouraged to get their applications in now to avoid delay.
Download your postal vote application, complete, scan and email to
Early voting centres
If you are unable to attend a polling booth on polling day or apply for a postal vote, then you can attend one of our early voting centres. Centres are open this week from Tuesday through to Friday, 9:00 am until 6:00 pm (extended hours on Thursday until 8:00 pm).
Remember, bring a mask and your own pen or pencil and stay COVID-19 safe this election.
Have you downloaded the election app?
The state election app is a convenient way to find all the information you need to vote in the 2022 State Election.
The app includes:
- a polling place finder (early voting centres and polling day booths)
- the list of candidates
- COVID-19 information
- a link to the instructions on how to complete your ballot papers
- a link to information on how the votes are counted
- waiting times at polling booths.
Find out how to download the app on our state election app page.
Record numbers expected to vote at 2022 State Election
In brief:
- Over 1.26 million South Australians are expected to vote in the 2022 State Election
- Plan ahead for voting.
A record number of voters will take to the polls in the 2022 State Election, according to the Electoral Commission of SA (ECSA).
1,266,719 South Australians have enrolled to vote, representing a 5.4% increase in the number of enrolled voters since the 2018 state election when 1,201,775 individuals were registered on the electoral roll.
Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry was extremely pleased with the public’s response to enrol to vote.
“We thank the South Australian public for enrolling or updating their enrolment details this state election,” Mr Sherry said.
“In February alone, more than 10,000 new South Australian voters joined the electoral roll, which is a fantastic result.”
“Since January this year, over 14,000 young people between the ages of 18-24 years have enrolled to vote.”
And over 80,000 South Australians have updated their enrolment details.
This is a fantastic result, and we thank South Australians for making sure that their voice is heard at the 2022 State Election.
“As this is the first South Australian State Election since COVID began, there are several expanded voting options, including early voting centres and postal voting, which will allow eligible electors to vote safely and effectively.
“Voters should also feel safe and confident to attend a polling booth on election day with a raft of COVID safety measures in place."
More than 1.2 million Easy Vote cards are being printed this week and will be sent to voters ahead of the election. The EasyVote Card helps voters have their details quickly marked off the electoral roll and reduces the time it takes to cast their vote on polling day.
Voters are also being encouraged to update their mySA GOV app to access the new State Election card, allowing voters access to a unique QR check-in code to save time at the polling booth on election day.
Plan ahead for voting
Early voting centres across the state open next Monday, March 7 and will operate until Friday, March 18, the day before the 2022 State Election, to allow eligible voters the opportunity to vote safely and early.
“Early voting centres will operate during the 2 weeks prior to election day for eligible voters,” Mr Sherry said.
“We encourage eligible voters to plan ahead and choose an appropriate time in that 12-day period to vote in-person at one of the 37 early voting centres across the state.
"We’ve significantly increased the number of early voting centres, which gives eligible voters greater access and time to safely cast their vote between Monday, March 7 and Friday, March 18.”
Eligible voters who wish to apply for a postal vote have until 5 pm on Thursday, March 17, to do so.
South Australians who are COVID-positive or a close contact required to isolate or quarantine can apply to vote by post.
Between Thursday, March 17 and election day on Saturday, March 19, electors who are COVID positive or a close contact required to isolate or quarantine or have COVID symptoms will be eligible to pick up a voting pack at a selected PCR or RAT collection sites across the state.
Access to the funding and disclosure (FAD) portal
ECSA advises that the FAD portal will be unavailable for use for about 10 minutes from 8:30 am Adelaide time on 15 February 2022 while we apply certain updates to enable the proper functioning of the portal.
We apologise for any inconvenience during this short outage.
COVID safety at the 2022 State Election
There has been a great deal of speculation regarding the safety of the upcoming State Election. The Electoral Commission is confident in our ability to run a safe and secure election.
We are working with SA Health to give the greatest possible access to safe voting solutions for the people of South Australia.
We do not have any announcement of these plans to make today. However, when these are finalised in the coming weeks, we will hold a briefing for the media and answer any questions at that time.
Meet our Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator
An important part of our work is to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in state elections.
To support Aboriginal people to have a bigger voice in the 2022 State Election, we appointed Leann as our Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator.
Leann works in partnership with Aboriginal communities to deliver electoral information and voting services in a way that is tailored to meet cultural and regional needs. This includes establishing remote voting services in regional towns, recruiting Aboriginal Information Officers to help people vote, and developing resources in language to promote enrolment and voting. By delivering culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal people, we hope to increase enrolment and voter turnout.
Leann’s knowledge and experience has also been instrumental in our staff becoming more aware and informed about Aboriginal culture, an area that we will continue to learn about.
In her free time, Leann plays Division 1 Women’s Doubles in tennis and a devoted and busy mum to four children, grandmother to two and another on the way!
Funding and disclosure briefing - 2022 State Election
Notice to intending independent candidates, associated entities and third parties participating in the electoral process.
An information session will be held to provide an outline of the funding and disclosure regime operating under the Electoral Act 1985 and the disclosure requirements for participants.
Sessions will be held as follows:
| Date | Time | Briefing session held for |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 1 February | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Independent candidates (HA) |
| Wednesday 2 February | 12 noon to 1:00 pm | Independent candidates (LC) |
| Friday 4 February | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | Associated entities |
| Friday 4 February | 11:30 am to 12:30 pm | Third parties |
Due to COVID restrictions there will be a limit on in-person attendees. The session will be run concurrently online.
Please email
New party registrations
SA Party – Stop Overdevelopment & Corruption and Real Change SA are now registered political parties in South Australia.
Find the full list of registered political parties in SA here.
Third Parties
Are you planning to incur political expenditure in the upcoming election?
If you are not:
- a Member of Parliament, registered political party, group or candidate, or
- Crown or public sector agency, or
- Broadcaster or publisher of a journal,
and you incur or intend to incur more than $10,000 in political expenditure during 1 January 2022 to 18 April 2022, you may have disclosure obligations as a third party.
Political expenditure is defined in the Electoral Act 1985 and includes expenditure for the public expression of views on a political party, candidate or MP or an election issue or the production of political material or opinion polling.
Please visit ECSA’s website at www.ecsa.sa.gov.au to learn more or contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registrations Branch at
Multi-factor authentication access to the Funding & Disclosure (FAD) Portal
ECSA advises Portal users who use multi-factor authentication to log into the FAD Portal (via an SMS code to mobile), that there is currently an issue with the receipt of SMS messages.
As a consequence, multi-factor authentication has been disabled at this time.
All users should be able to access the FAD Portal using a username and password only.
We apologise for this inconvenience and we are working with our suppliers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Issues with access to the Funding & Disclosure (FAD) Portal
ECSA advises that Portal users who use two-factor authentication to log into the FAD Portal (via an SMS code to mobile), that there is currently an issue with the receipt of SMS messages.
Such users will be unable to access their Portal account until further notice.
We apologise for this inconvenience and we are working with our suppliers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
New registered political party
Family First Party Inc is now a registered political party in South Australia. Find the full list of registered political parties in SA here.
Meet our team working behind the scenes on the 2022 State Election
Here at ECSA we’re busy getting ready for the 2022 State Election in March, but our job is not just about what you see on polling day!
While our polling booth staff might be the people you’re most familiar with, it takes a team of over 7,000 South Australians to deliver an election. And over the next three months we’re excited to introduce you to some of our talented team.
Meet Kate, our Project Manager of Election Workforce Learning. Kate joined ECSA nearly 2 years ago and felt that the unique opportunity to be part of one of the state’s biggest events was too good to miss!
Kate has the important role of designing and delivering training to the 7000+ staff hired to help us deliver the 2022 State Election. She relishes the variety of her job which includes storyboarding e-learning modules, running major conferences and procuring a Learning Management Systems.
An avid runner, Kate recently completed her first half marathon.
New party registrations received
Two applications for party registration have been received.
One for Legalise Cannabis South Australia Party and one for Liberal Democratic Party.
If you believe that either party should not be registered as the application is not in accordance with the Electoral Act 1985, you can lodge an objection in writing by 5 pm on Monday 24 January 2022.
Objections can be made in writing to the Electoral Commissioner, Level 6, 60 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000. You must include your postal address, your signature and detail the grounds upon which the objection is made.
Christmas business hours
Santa isn’t the only one busy this time of year!
We’re putting on a huge event to celebrate democracy next March - the 2022 South Australian State Election!
This means we're all hands on deck and will only be closed on the public holidays over the holiday period.
Have a great festive season!
Christmas and New Year's business hours
| Friday | 24 Dec | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Saturday | 25 Dec | CLOSED |
| Sunday | 26 Dec | CLOSED |
| Monday | 27 Dec | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 28 Dec | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 29 Dec | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Thursday | 30 Dec | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Friday | 31 Dec | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Saturday | 1 Dec | CLOSED |
New applications for party registration
Two applications for party registration have been received.
One for SA Party – Stop Overdevelopment & Corruption and one for Real Change SA.
If you believe that either party should not be registered as the application is not in accordance with the Electoral Act 1985, you can lodge an objection in writing by 5 pm on Monday 17 January 2022.
Objections can be made in writing to the Electoral Commissioner, Level 6, 60 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000. You must include your postal address, your signature and detail the grounds upon which the objection is made.
Work at the 2022 State Election
Applications are now open for temporary work at the State Election in early 2022.
Roughly 7,000 positions will be available across South Australia, including polling officials and administrative officers.
Positions range from a single day of work (19 March 2022) to several weeks, and you will be paid a competitive hourly rate or package based on your role.
We encourage applications from people living with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people who are fluent in other languages.
To find out more about election work and register your interest visit Working at elections.Party registration received
An application for party registration for Family First Party Inc has been received.
If you believe that the party should not be registered as the application is not in accordance with the Electoral Act 1985, you can lodge an objection in writing by 5 pm on Monday 20 December 2021.
Objections can be made in writing to the Electoral Commissioner, Level 6, 60 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000. You must include your postal address, your signature and detail the grounds upon which the objection is made.
Registered political party
Australian Family Party is now a registered political party in South Australia.
Find the full list of registered political parties in SA here.
2020-21 Annual Report now available
Our 2020-21 Annual Report was tabled in Parliament on 28 October 2021.
The report outlines our financial statements and performance indicators for the financial year and is accessible as a PDF on our Annual reports page. Past Annual Reports are also available.
For a summary of key data and statistics for the 2020-21 financial year, visit our Data and statistics 2020-21 page.
Voting closes soon for Coorong District Council Poll!
Hey Coorong District Council electors! It’s not too late to vote on the important question: ‘Should the principal member (Mayor) of Coorong District Council be elected by the community or chosen by the Councillors?’
You can submit your ballot papers in person at these locations:
- Coorong Civic Centre, 95-101 Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend
- Meningie Information Hub, 49 Princes Highway, Meningie
- Tintinara Customer Service Centre, 37 Becker Terrace, Tintinara.
Completed ballot papers must be received by no later than 12noon on Tuesday 26 October 2021.
Are you a software development guru?
Do you want to join a small, agile organisation where you can make an impact?
We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join our ICT team and help us create new and innovative applications for the 2022 State Election.
We are recruiting for a permanent Dev Ops Specialist with experience using Azure Dev Ops CD/CD, Terraform and Yaml, plus SQL Server design/administration but with a .Net development background.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to use cutting edge Microsoft technologies including Event Hub and API Management.
Port Adelaide Enfield election results
Congratulations to Mr Adrian Wotton, who has been declared provisionally elected as the new Councillor for the City of Port Adelaide Enfield (Outer Harbor Ward).
Registered political party
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is now a registered political party in South Australia. Find the full list of registered political parties in SA here.
Party registration received
An application for party registration for Australian Family Party has been received.
If you believe that the party should not be registered as the application is not in accordance with the Electoral Act 1985, you can lodge an objection in writing by 5 pm on Monday 18 October 2021.
Objections can be made in writing to the Electoral Commissioner, Level 6, 60 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000. You must include your postal address, your signature and detail the grounds upon which the objection is made.
Public access to ECSA office
From Monday 13 September 2021 public access arrangements for our office at Level 6, 60 Light Square have changed.
Until otherwise advised, the following arrangements apply:
- You do not need to make an appointment to use the electronic roll terminal.
- Members of the public and delivery drivers are able to use the lift to access our office on level 6 without a staff escort.
- All visitors must check in via the COVID SAfe QR code, or on the paper register.
- All visitors must wear a face masks (covering mouth and nose) at all times.
In regard to accessing the electoral roll, please also note:
- The electoral roll can also be accessed at the Australian Electoral Commission office located at 1 King William Street without making an electoral roll viewing appointment.
- Historical copies of the state electoral roll are available at the State Library of South Australia on North Terrace, Adelaide.
For any enquiries please contact us.
Nominations open for the APY Executive Board supplementary election
Are you an Aṉangu female aged 18 or older who is enrolled in the electorate of Iwantja, Amuruna, Railway Bore, Witjintitja and Wallatinna?
You can be a leader of your community by representing your electorate on the APY Executive Board.
Nominations are now open and must be received by 5pm (ACST) on Wednesday 15 September 2021.
For more information visit the 2021 APY Executive Board supplementary election page.
Annual Political Expenditure Returns Due
Section 130ZR of the Electoral Act 1985 requires any person who has incurred political expenditure of more than $5,510 during the financial year 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2021 to lodge an Annual Political Expenditure Return. The return must be lodged by Wednesday 22 September 2021.
Nil returns do not need to be lodged.
The Annual Political Expenditure Return should be lodged via the Funding and Disclosure Portal.
Note:
- Members of the South Australian Parliament and the Crown are excluded from the requirement to lodge this return.
- The lodgement obligation extends to any person incurring political expenditure over the threshold. A ‘person’ also includes an unincorporated association (see section 130A).
- Expenditure on Federal or local government campaigning is not considered ‘political expenditure’ under the scheme.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch at
Party registration received
An application for party registration for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has been received.
If you believe that the party should not be registered, you can lodge an objection in writing by 5pm on Monday 13 September 2021.
Reasons to object to a party registration are:
- the party does not have as a purpose, the promotion of the election to the State Parliament of its endorsed candidate(s); or
- the application does not fulfil the technical requirements specified in the Act; or
- the party’s name is likely to be confused with that of another registered party, parliamentary party or prominent public body,
Objections can be made in writing to the Electoral Commissioner, Level 6, 60 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000. You must include your postal address, your signature and detail the grounds upon which the objection is made.
Political party registration for 2022 State Election
If you would like to apply to register a political party for the 2022 State Election, you must lodge your application and all accompanying documents by 5pm, 17 September 2021.
Under section 40(3) of the Electoral Act 1985, applications for registration of a political party which are lodged within the period of six months before a general election cannot be determined by the Electoral Commissioner until after the election.
For more information, visit our How to register a political party, or contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch on 7424 7400.
Access to ECSA office 13 August - until further notice
Public access to ECSA’s office at Level 6, 60 Light Square is by appointment only until otherwise advised.
To make an appointment to use the electronic roll terminal during this time, or to contact us about any other matter, please use our online contact form or phone 1300 655 232 during regular office hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
Alternately, you may attend the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) office located at 1 King William Street without making an electoral roll viewing appointment.
Historical copies of the electoral roll are available through the State Library.
Wearing a face mask is mandatory, if you are visiting the ECSA office.
Half Yearly Returns for Donors Due
Donors are reminded that if they have made gifts with amounts or values of more than $5,510 during the 2020-21 financial year to:
- (a) a registered political party, associated entity or third party (‘relevant entity’);
- or (b) a person or body with the intention of benefitting a relevant entity
they are required under section 130ZH of the Electoral Act 1985 to lodge a Donor Return by Monday 2 August 2021 (if they have not already disclosed them in an earlier return).
These returns can be lodged via the Funding and Disclosure Portal.
Agents are also reminded that they must inform donors of the requirement to lodge a return in relation to a gift to a registered political party.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch at
Update on public access to ECSA office
Please note that ECSA’s office at Level 6, 60 Light Square will remain closed to the public for the remainder of this week (26 July to 30 July inclusive). Throughout this week ECSA staff will continue to work remotely.
Please note that there will be no public access to the electronic roll terminal during this time.
If you need to contact ECSA regarding any non-urgent matter, please use our online contact form.
If you have an urgent enquiry please phone 1300 655 232.
ECSA office closed until further notice
In line with current SA Health advice, from 5pm on Tuesday 20 July 2021 the ECSA office at Level 6, 60 Light Square will be closed until further notice. During this period staff will be working remotely.
Please note that there will be no public access to the electronic roll terminal during this time.
If you need to contact ECSA regarding any non-urgent matter, please use our online contact form.
If you have an urgent enquiry please phone 1300 655 232
Supplementary election update
ECSA is currently conducting a range of council supplementary elections.
In line with SA Health directions, ECSA has had to make certain operational decisions that impact on some aspects of the delivery of these elections.
Please click on the relevant link below for further details:
Funding and Disclosure Timeline for the 2022 State Election
Are you a candidate, political party or planning to participate in the 2022 State election? You may have compliance obligations.
Details of returns and the dates for lodgement are available in the Funding, Disclosure & Registration - 2022 State Election Timetable [PDF 242KB]
Indexation of amounts under the Electoral Act 1985
Do you know that many amounts shown in Part 13A of the Electoral Act 1985 (the Act) change each year on 1 July?
If a monetary amount in the Act is followed by the word “(indexed)”, the amount will be adjusted on 1 July of each financial year to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
To see the new indexed amounts applicable from 1 July 2021, go to the Funding and Disclosure for State Elections webpage.
Half Yearly Returns for Donors Due
Donors are reminded that if they have made gifts with amounts or values of more than $5,510 during the period 2 July to 31 December 2020 to
Party Registration Annual Returns Due
Registered political parties are reminded that section 43A of the Electoral Act 1985 requires the registered officer to lodge an annual return with ECSA to confirm the party’s continued eligibility for registration. Supporting documentation must also be lodged with the return and the requirement varies between parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties. The return must be lodged by Wednesday 30 September 2020.
Failure to lodge the required return may be grounds for deregistration of the party.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch at
Annual Political Expenditure Returns Due
Section 130ZR of the Electoral Act 1985 requires any person who has incurred political expenditure of more than $5,381 during the financial year 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020 to lodge an Annual Political Expenditure Return with the South Australian Electoral Commissioner. The return must be lodged by Tuesday 22 September 2020.
If a person does NOT have any disclosable political expenditure, then they are NOT required to lodge a return (i.e. spent $5,381 or under). Nil returns do not need to be lodged.
The Annual Political Expenditure Return can be lodged via the Funding and Disclosure Portal. A Political Expenditure Guide is available on the guides page.
Note:
- Members of the South Australian Parliament and the Crown are excluded from the requirement to lodge this return.
- The lodgement obligation extends to any person incurring political expenditure over the threshold. A ‘person’ also includes an unincorporated association (see section 130A).
- The South Australian disclosure scheme only relates to State matters. Therefore, expenditure on Federal or local government campaigning, are not considered ‘political expenditure’ under the scheme.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch at
Report into funding and disclosure legislation
Electoral Commission SA’s report on the operation and administration of South Australia’s funding, expenditure and disclosure legislation was tabled in the Parliament this week.
In addition to providing an overview of the funding, expenditure and disclosure legislation, the report contains 44 recommendations that ECSA believes are necessary to facilitate the efficient and effective operation of this legislation.
Annual Political Expenditure Returns Due
Section 130ZR of the Electoral Act 1985 requires any person who has incurred political expenditure of more than $5,310 during the financial year 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019 to lodge an Annual Political Expenditure Return with the South Australian Electoral Commissioner. The return must be lodged by Monday 23 September 2019.
If a person does NOT have any disclosable political expenditure, then they are NOT required to lodge a return (ie spent $5,310 or under). Nil returns do not need to be lodged.
The Annual Political Expenditure Return can be lodged via the Funding and Disclosure Portal. An Annual Political Expenditure Return Guide and a Political Expenditure Guide are available on the guide page.
Note:
- Members of the South Australian Parliament and the Crown are excluded from the requirement to lodge this return.
- The lodgement obligation extends to any person incurring political expenditure over the threshold. A ‘person’ also includes an unincorporated association (see section 130A).
- The South Australian disclosure scheme only relates to State matters. Therefore, expenditure on Federal or local government campaigning, are not considered ‘political expenditure’ under the scheme.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch on 7424 7400.
Australian Conservatives (SA) de-registered
Half-yearly returns available for viewing.
The half-yearly Political Party Returns, Associated Entity Returns and Donor Returns for the period up to 31 December 2018 are now available to be viewed on the Funding and Disclosure Portal.
For more information about disclosures, please contact our Funding, Disclosure & Registration Branch on 7424 7400.