Voting
South Australian voters choose representatives to make decisions on their behalf at elections.
Decisions made by these representatives and other elected members affect almost every aspect of our daily lives.
The list below has some of the responsibilities of each level of government.
Federal government (compulsory voting):
- Defence
- Immigration
- Social services
- Higher education
- Medicare and health funding
- Taxation
State government (compulsory voting):
- Law and order
- Schools and education
- Hospitals and health services
- Roads and highways
- Transport
- Housing
Local council (non compulsory voting):
- Local roads and footpaths
- Libraries
- Child care centres
- Recycling and waste management
- Sporting facilities and recreation reserves
- Town planning and building regulations
Your vote is important and all votes are equal.
Where you can follow us
More ways to vote than ever
Early voting
Under new legislation, every elector can vote early without eligibility requirements. For the week before polling day, early voting centres will be open across many districts, giving voters more choice, reducing congestion, and creating a smoother, more convenient voting experience.
Interstate or overseas voting
You’ll find voting centres across South Australia, interstate, and even at select overseas locations to cast your vote in person. It’s all about making voting easier, wherever you are.
Polling day voting
Polling booths are open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You can vote at any polling booth, anywhere within the state.
Postal voting
Remote mobile voting
Remote mobile polling is a voting service provided to electors in remote areas. This service enables electors in remote rural and outback communities to be visited by electoral officials so they can cast their vote.
Telephone Assisted Voting (TAV)
Hospital or nursing home (declared voting)
Residents of nursing homes, those in hospital or other institutions, such as prisons, can vote at state elections and by-elections with a mobile voting team. We send trained electoral teams to support the voting process. Patients and residents of these institutions may also apply for a postal vote. These are known as "Declared institutions".
Is it compulsory to vote at state elections and by-elections?
Yes, however, you are only required to observe the formalities of voting (i.e. have your name marked off the roll and receive ballot papers). You are not required to mark the ballot papers. For more information, refer to section 85 of the Electoral Act 1985.
I haven’t enrolled. Why am I on the electoral roll?
You are on the electoral roll because you have been enrolled through federal direct enrolment. Legislation was passed in 2012 enabling the Australian Electoral Commission to automatically enrol people through information received from other government agencies. For more information, please visit the Australian Electoral Commission website.
I was not living at my enrolled address at the time of the election. Do I still have to vote?
Yes, even if you were not living at your enrolled address, but still within South Australia, it is compulsory to vote. You do not have to go back to your previous district to vote, you can vote at any polling booth in South Australia.
What if I was interstate at the time of the election?
Each state and territory offers early voting for South Australians located interstate at the time of an election.
What if I was overseas at the time of the election?
It is not compulsory to vote at South Australian elections if you are travelling or living overseas.
You will be automatically excused from voting in state elections if you notify the AEC that you are travelling or living overseas. Find out more on the AEC's website.
Overseas voting is available in some countries and a list of locations is displayed on the ECSA website at the time of the election.
What if I was sick at the time of the election?
If you were unable to attend an early voting centre or a polling booth on polling day due to illness, you will receive an 'apparent failure to vote notice' following the election. You simply need to respond to the notice with your reason for not voting. If your reason is deemed valid and sufficient, you will be excused for not voting.
Why is the fine for not voting $115 when the Electoral Act 1985 states that the expiation fee is $10 and the maximum penalty is $50?
A victims of crime levy of $102 is included in the total amount payable under the expiation notice. Under section 32 of the Victims of Crime Act 2001, a victims of crime levy is imposed on all expiation notices issued. $50 is the maximum penalty the court could impose if you elected to be prosecuted for the offence. However, there are court fees and other costs involved in the court process, which is why most people choose to pay the fine.
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Easy read guide - how to enrol to vote
Enrolling to vote (PDF English)
Easy read guides - other
How to complete your ballot papers (PDF English)