Nominate as a Candidate
Are you passionate about the broader community, willing to learn and participate, and believe you can contribute positively towards shaping its future? If you answered yes, then you should explore becoming a candidate in the 2027 council elections.
Candidate nominations open on Tuesday 26 January 2027 and close at midday on Tuesday, 9 February 2027.
No special qualifications or experience is required to nominate for council.
You must be an Australian citizen over 18 years old and either enrolled to vote in the council area or be the nominee of a body corporate or group whose name appears on the voters roll for the area.
Candidates can either nominate to stand as an Area Councillor, or can nominate to stand for Mayor.
If you are interested in representing the people of your community on council, the Electoral Commission of SA and the Local Government Association (SA) provide a range of resources to help you understand the role and responsibilities of being a councillor.
How to nominate
Candidates must complete and lodge their nomination form through the Electoral Commission SA (ECSA) online portal. Nomination forms are included in the nomination kits that are supplied by ECSA (coming soon).
Please note that the ECSA online portal is not yet live, and nomination kits will only be available from closer to the nomination period. The kit contains all the forms and guides needed to become a candidate.
Resources for potential candidates
Learn more about the nomination process, free training available for candidates, campaign laws and regulations, preparing election materials, and running a campaign - visit the Council Elections - Nominate page.
Nominate - Council Elections Booklet - Download Now
The Local Government Association's Council Elections Booklet is a useful resource that provides potential candidates information on becoming a council member.
Free training for candidates - Start Learning
Thinking about standing for council? A suite of free, self-paced modules are available to learn more about being on council before you nominate.