2027 Local Government Elections - Key Dates Announced
9 July 2026
Further to our Alert, issued on 29 June 2026 in relation to the Local Government (Elections) (Periodic Elections) Amendment Act 2026, the Acting Electoral Commissioner of South Australia (ECSA) has now announced the key dates for the April 2027 LG Elections.
As promised in our Alert (which can be found on our website here,) we committed to ensuring our clients are aware of the April 2027 LG Election key dates, as soon as they became public. Accordingly, see the below:
| Event | Dates | Legislative detail | ||
| Roll Close | Monday 4 January 2027 | On a day fixed by the Returning Officer, however not less than 13 weeks before polling day – s15(7)9a) and s15(9)(a) | ||
| Nominations Open | Tuesday 26 January 2027 | No earlier than 14 days before nominations close – s19(4) | ||
| Nominations Close | Tuesday 9 February 2027 | 12 noon on the sixth Tuesday after fixed roll close date – s23(a) | ||
| Draw for positions on the ballot paper | Wednesday 10 February 2027 | As soon as practicable after 9am the day after nominations close – s29(3)(a) | ||
| Mailout of voting materials to electors | Thursday 11 March 2027 to Wednesday 17 March 2027 | After the 28th day before polling day, not later than 21 days before close of voting (polling day) – s39(1) | ||
| Last day for postal issue/re-issue of voting material | Thursday 1 April 2027 | 5pm on the seventh day before close of voting (polling day) – s39(4) and s43(4) | ||
| Close of voting | Wednesday 7 April 2027 | 5pm on the third to last business day before the second Saturday of April in 2027 – s5 | ||
| Scrutiny and Count | Saturday 10 April 2027 | Third day following close of voting (polling day) at a time determined by the Returning Officer – s47(1) |
This announcement also means that the Caretaker Period will now commence on Tuesday 9 February 2027 (unless Council Policy provides for an earlier date).
Kelledy Jones Lawyers continues to provide our Caretaker Period and Local Government Elections training offerings.
Further, mark your diaries for the established ‘Kelledy Jones Elections Breakfast’ at the National Wine Centre on Friday 5 February 2027 where you will hear from experts in the field including an ECSA representative, the Ombudsman, Emily Strickland, experienced regional and metro Mayors and, of course, legal experts.
For further information, or to arrange training dates, please contact our EA Jenna, at: jsmith@kelledyjones.com.au.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Michael Kelledy on 8113 7103 or mkelledy@kelledyjones.com.au;
Tracy Riddle on 8113 7106 or triddle@kelledyjones.com.au;
Cimon Burke on 8113 7105 or cburke@kelledyjones.com.au or
Charlotte Oldfield on 8113 7112 or coldfield@kelledyjones.com.au