Update on Local Government Election Changes
You may have seen announcements about changes to the November 2026 local government elections in the media recently where the Electoral Commission of South Australia has requested that the November 2026 election be delayed due to an ongoing independent review undertaken following the recent State Government and First Nations Voice to Parliament Elections issues and additional operational factors.
The Acting South Australian Election Commissioner recognised that the delay would have an impact on councils, but was not comfortable with proceeding with the Elections in November.
We understand you may have questions about what this means for the community.
Legislation was passed in Parliament on 26 June 2026 and based on the information available the changes mean:
- Voting for the next local government elections will not be held in November 2026 but will now close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 7 April 2027
- The following local government elections will be held in November 2031 with elections returning to a four year cycle from then onwards
- Regulation making powers have been included to help manage implementation and transitional matters.
As the legislation has only just passed, Council is currently working through the details of what this will mean locally to the community and when we have a clearer picture of the situation in Coober Pedy, we will provide further updates as they become available.
Updating Council’s Voters Roll
Did you know that amendments to the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999 (Act) mean that if you own property in Coober Pedy but your principal place of residence is interstate you are no longer eligible to vote in South Australian council elections.
However, if you are on the SA state electoral roll you will automatically be on the Council Voters' Roll for your residence. You can check here to ensure you are enrolled on the state electoral roll for Coober Pedy.
If not, you may still be eligible to be included on the District Council of Coober Pedy Voters Roll if you are:
- On the state electoral roll in South Australia and
- A non-resident sole owner (a landlord of rateable property) or non-resident occupier (tenant) within the council area
- An owner or occupier of an organisation or business
- An owner of a holiday home
- Group of owners or occupiers, of a rateable property.
Council’s Voters Roll, in accordance with section 15(5a) of the Act must be purged on 1 January of every election year. Therefore, all landlords, organisations, business owners or occupiers, must re-enrol from 1 January of every election year.
If this applies to you, please complete the appropriate form below and forward it to Council prior to 31 July 2026, when the Voters' Roll closes.
Form 1: Natural person For a non-resident owner/occupier who owns property in the Council area: is the only owner/occupier (tenant) and does not live or occupy that property
Form 2: Body corporate For sole business owners or sole occupiers who occupy any type of rateable property in the Council area and on the assessment record at the Council
Form 3: Group For residents whose property is jointly owned or occupied by businesses, individual persons or a combination of both.