The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) has released the official timetable for the 2027 local government elections, giving councils greater certainty as they begin planning for the delayed election cycle.
Key dates include:
- Roll closes: Monday 4 January 2027
- Nominations open: Tuesday 26 January 2027
- Nominations close: Tuesday 9 February 2027
- Polling day: Wednesday 7 April 2027 (voting closes at 5pm)
- Scrutiny and count: Saturday 10 April 2027 (from 9am)
The caretaker period will begin no later than Tuesday 9 February 2027 and continue until the election results are declared.
The timetable follows the deferral of the 2026 council elections under the Local Government (Elections) (Periodic Elections) Amendment Act 2026, which came into effect on 2 July 2026.
Councils are encouraged to review the full election timetable and incorporate the key dates into their governance and election planning.
The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) has also published a set of frequently asked questions to help councils understand the practical implications of the new election schedule. The resource will be updated as further information becomes available, and councils can submit additional questions through the LGA’s online form.
