SA council elections could be delayed
South Australia’s local government elections, due to be held in November 2026, may be delayed by up to six months following a formal request from the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) to the state government.
Acting Election Commissioner Leah McLay announced today that she has written to Special Minister of State Kyam Maher seeking approval to push the elections back to mid-2027. McLay said she believed a delay was necessary to allow time for an independent review of the 2026 State Election to be completed, its findings implemented, and for ECSA to adequately prepare for the council poll.
“I’m concerned that without adequate time to prepare and to submit critical findings from the independent review that we may carry through some of the same challenges that we faced in the state election,” McLay said.
The independent review was initiated after uncounted ballots were discovered following March’s state election polling day. It is also examining reports of delayed pay for ECSA staff and allegations that Aboriginal Australians were mistreated at the ballot box. Election Commissioner Mick Sherry has been on leave since April, with McLay saying she had no information about a return date.
McLay also flagged significant concerns about ECSA’s ability to recruit the temporary workforce required to run the November election, noting levels of “frustration, fatigue, and uncertainty” within the existing workforce following the state election experience.
Hiring for temporary election staff had not yet commenced, McLay confirmed. The LGA has already begun advertising to promote voter enrolment for the November elections. McLay said she had informed both the LGA and all 67 South Australian councils of her request.
Mr Maher said the request had been referred to cabinet, and a decision could be expected within days. He described the situation as “exceptionally disappointing”.
The Local Government Association of South Australia has acknowledged the immense pressure facing the Electoral Commission and respects the request to delay council elections to mid-2027 to protect democratic integrity.
While the LGA has previously raised concerns about holding state and local elections in the same year, it is now actively assessing the practical implications of a change—particularly regarding council budget processes, legislative alignment, and the impacted terms of elected officials.
Source: InDaily; The Advertiser – 9 June 2026.