South Australia council elections delayed until 2027 amid review into March poll

South Australia's state government has passed legislation to delay local council elections until April 2027, a move prompted by "very serious concerns" from the Electoral Commission regarding its capacity to manage the poll scheduled for November. The decision, which also sets subsequent elections for November 2031, 2035, and 2039, aims to separate them from state election cycles and potentially boost voter turnout. The delay faced opposition from the Liberal Party and One Nation but secured support from the Greens and Family First in the upper house. Acting Electoral Commissioner Leah McLay had requested the postponement, citing potential repeat issues from the March state election, which is currently under independent review for problems like long queues, technical glitches, understaffing, and uncounted ballots. The government acknowledged concerns about recruiting sufficient staff due to "frustration, fatigue and uncertainty" from the previous election. While the Greens deemed the five-month extension "fairly reasonable" to ensure a smoother process, they acknowledged such deferrals should be rare. The local government sector has expressed concerns that the delay will disrupt councils, as some members planned to leave office in November, potentially leaving newly elected officials to make immediate, complex budget decisions without adequate induction.

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some very serious concerns