At the close of nominations at 12 noon on Thursday 7 August 2025, the following elections accepted the candidate nominations that are listed on their respective election pages in the order in which they will appear on the ballot paper:

• Town of Gawler, Mayor
• Yorke Peninsula Council, Mayor
• District Council of Orroroo Carrieton, Area Councillor
• Adelaide Hills Council, Ranges Ward
• Adelaide Hills Council, Valleys Ward
• City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, St Peters Ward
• Mount Barker District Council, South Ward

Campaign disclosure returns
Candidates must lodge the following returns with the Electoral Commissioner:

Campaign donation return
Return no. 1 – lodgement from Friday 15 August to Thursday 21 August 2025
Return no. 2 – within 30 days of the conclusion of the election

Large gift return
Return lodgement within 5 days after receipt, only required for gifts in excess of $2,500

Detailed information about candidate disclosure return requirements can be found at www.ecsa.sa.gov.au

Voting conducted by post
The elections are conducted entirely by post and no polling booths will be open for voting.

Ballot papers and reply-paid envelopes are mailed out between Tuesday 26 August and Monday 1 September 2025 to every person, body corporate and group listed on each voters roll at the close of rolls on 5pm, Monday 30 June.  Voting is voluntary.

A person who has not received voting material by Thursday 4 September 2025, and believes they are entitled to vote, should contact the deputy returning officer on 1300 655 232 before 5pm, Monday 15 September 2025.

Completed voting material must be sent to reach the returning officer no later than 12 noon on polling day Monday 22 September 2025.

Assisted voting
Prescribed electors under section 41A(8) of the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, may vote via the telephone assisted voting method by calling the Electoral Commission SA on:

1300 655 232 within South Australia only
08 7424 7400 from interstate
+61 8 7424 7400 from overseas

The Telephone Assisted Voting Centre will operate for the following times and days:

9am – 5pm, Thursday 18 September and Friday 19 September 2025
9am – 12 noon, Monday 22 September 2025 (close of voting)

Vote counting location
The scrutiny and counts will take place from 9:30am on Tuesday 23 September 2025 at the following location:

Electoral Commission SA Central Processing Centre
7 Hudson Court Netley 5037

A provisional declaration will be made at the conclusion of each election count.

Mick Sherry
RETURNING OFFICER

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Misinformation or disinfomation

Misinformation and disinformation pose a threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy. REF

During elections, voters are often inundated with vast amounts of information, some of which may be unreliable or deliberately false. Electoral disinformation is information spread regarding the election, or election matters, intended to deceive voters. It may also be called ‘fake news’. Misinformation on the other hand may deceive voters unintentionally.

1. Misinformation undermines the integrity of the electoral process by amplifying voter confusion and eroding trust in the democratic process. Getting the right information allows voters to make an informed choice about their voting options and know that their vote counts in making their voice heard about the issues that matter to them.
2. Disinformation can be disseminated via a range of communication channels but can be particularly prevalent online. Social media and online websites can be a quick and effective channel to spread electoral disinformation.

It is therefore very important that you check the source and review whether it can be considered reliable, current and safe.

The 'check the source' campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the need to consider and review the source of electoral communication. This is so electors can avoid being misled by disinformation and can cast an informed vote at elections.

Resource: Check the source campaign

Resource: Social Media

Publication of misleading advertising material in elections

Misleading advertising - council elections

Local Government (Elections) Act - s 28

Electoral material must not contain a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate or misleading to a material extent.

If electoral material contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact, and the statement is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent, a person who authorised, caused or permitted the publication of the material (the publisher) is guilty of an offence.

This section applies to material published by any means (including radio or television).

If the Electoral Commissioner is satisfied that published electoral material contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent, the Electoral Commissioner may request the publisher to withdraw the material from further publication and/or publish a retraction.

The publisher's response to a request by the Electoral Commissioner may be taken into account in assessing any penalty to which the publisher may be liable.

https://ecsa.sa.gov.au/parties-and-candidates/electoral-advertising-council-elections

Misleading advertising - state elections

Electoral Act - ss 113(1),(2),(4)

A person who authorises, causes or permits the publication of an electoral advertisement by any means (including radio or television) is guilty of an offence if the advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent.

If the Electoral Commissioner is satisfied that an electoral advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent, the Electoral Commissioner may request the advertiser to do one or more of the following:

withdraw the advertisement from further publication;
publish a retraction in specified terms and a specified manner and form.

https://ecsa.sa.gov.au/parties-and-candidates/electoral-advertising-state-elections