Nominating to Stand For Council
Council Elections - Nominating to Stand as a Council Member
Nominating for a position on council
If you are eligible to vote in your local council elections, you are probably also eligible to stand for a position on council.
With very few exceptions (such as being an undischarged bankrupt, or being disqualified from holding office by a court order), you can nominate for a position on council regardless of qualifications, religion, race, gender, experience or profession.
In fact, councils actively encourage nominations from people from diverse backgrounds to ensure that a wide range of views are being represented. The Local Government Association and many councils run information sessions for potential candidates.
Nomination process
When nominations for the local government elections open, you must complete and lodge a nomination form which is available from your council and other advertised locations.
You will also be asked to lodge a 150-word candidate profile and a ‘head shoulders’ photograph which will be published on a candidates’ website.
The electoral commission usually have candidate resource kits available in the lead up to the Local Government elections that you can refer to for more information about the nomination process and requirements.
Nominate for Council Information Session
For individuals considering nominating for Council, the Electoral Commission SA still has a video available from the 2022 Council Elections which explains a wealth of details, including:
- The role and functions of a council
- Relationship between councils and other spheres of government
- Role of an Elected Member
- Allowances and expenses
- Legal responsibilities
- How elections are conducted
- Eligibility and the process of nomination
- Campaigning for election
The video is available for viewing here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXQkj7l4Y4k
Click the following links to access further election information.
General Information / Enrolling to Vote / Nominating to Stand for Council / Voting in Council Elections
The local government Association Election page www.lga.sa.gov.au/councilelections
Electoral Commission of South Australia website www.ecsa.sa.gov.au
2022 Council Elections website www.councilelections.sa.gov.au
All material on this webpage is authorised by Russell Peate, Chief Executive Officer, Copper Coast Council, 51 Taylor Street, Kadina SA 5554.