Special categories of enrolment exist for people with special needs or with specific circumstances that may affect their enrolment.
You cannot change your enrolment details over the phone or by post. You may only update your details online or by fax.
Registered declaration voting
Electoral Commission of South Australia maintains a register of voters who are permanently prevented from attending a polling booth and meet certain criteria. These voters are called registered declaration voters for state elections and general postal voters for federal elections.
Once registered, you do not need to re-apply for future elections.
To apply to become a registered declaration voter you must meet one of the following criteria that prevent you from attending a polling place on polling day:
- Distance – you are enrolled at an address more than 20 km away from any polling place
- Illness – you are a patient at a hospital or nursing home and unable to travel to a polling place
- Infirmity – you are unable to travel to a polling place due to being infirm or seriously ill at home
- Caring for others – caring for a person who is seriously ill or infirm
- Physical disability – you are unable to sign your name due to a physical incapacity
- Religion – your religious beliefs or membership of a religious order prevent you from attending a polling place on polling day
- Overseas – you are an elector who is registered as an overseas elector
- Silent elector – you are an elector whose address has been suppressed
To become a registered declaration voter, you can:
This is an external link to the Australian Electoral Commission. For any questions about the register of declared voters, call 13 23 26.
Silent electors
Silent electors have their address suppressed from the electoral roll. If you believe that your safety or the safety of your family members may be at risk by having your address on the electoral roll, then you can apply to become a silent elector.
People applying to be silent electors can request their ballot papers for all elections to be sent to them by post.
For more information and to access the silent elector application form, visit the Australian Electoral Commission's silent electors page.
Going overseas
It is not compulsory to vote at South Australian elections if you are travelling or living overseas.
You will be automatically excused from voting at State elections if you notify the Australian Electoral Commission that you are living or travelling overseas. See the Australian Electoral Commission's going overseas page for notification forms and instructions.
If you were overseas for a State Election, or for a by-election, you will be excused for not voting. Complete the email form on the contact us page. Include your full name, date of birth, and enrolled address.
Enrolment for people with no fixed address
People with no fixed address have different enrolment and voting requirements.
Enrolment
There is a specific enrolment form for people with no fixed address. It is available:
- online on the Australian Electoral Commission's enrolment for people with no fixed address page, or
- by calling the Electoral Commission of South Australia on 1300 655 232 to request a form be sent to you.
How do I return my signed form?
You can upload your scanned signed form or return by fax.
Scan and upload to the Australian Electoral Commission:
Upload your scanned signed form
Fax to:
02 6293 7684
Voting
If you are enrolled as a person with no fixed address you can vote at any polling place in South Australia or at an interstate early voting centre. If you are enrolled as a person with no fixed address and do not vote at an election you will not be fined. Your name will be removed from the electoral roll but you can re-enrol at any time.
Electors unable to sign their name due to physical incapacity
If you are unable to sign your name due to a physical disability you may get someone else to complete your enrolment form and sign it on your behalf. You will need a registered medical practitioner to complete and sign the medical certificate on this form.
See the Australian Electoral Commission and select the South Australia – Unable to sign form
Prisoners
It is compulsory for South Australian prisoners to vote in State elections and keep their enrolment details up to date. If you are currently serving a prison sentence you may need to update your enrolment details. See the Australian Electoral Commission and select the South Australia – Prisoner enrolment form