ALGWA SA continues to support increasing the number of
women candidates in Council elections since 2006!
ALGWA SA aims include achieving a gender balance amongst councils as an important aspect of democracy.
Local governments should be representing their communities, of which women make up over 50 percent.
A balance of men and women as council decision makers allows for opinions, debate, policies and services to reflect the community and providing visible female role models, inspiring more women to participate in local governance.
Local governments should be representing their communities, of which women make up over 50 percent.
A balance of men and women as council decision makers allows for opinions, debate, policies and services to reflect the community and providing visible female role models, inspiring more women to participate in local governance.
ALGWA SA Committee is busy planning its free regional information sessions and booklet "Women Leading Locally" for women interested in nominating for 2026 Council elections. If you are interested in becoming a candidate, go to our Contact Page to register your interest with us!
News Flash! Our national Association, ALGWA, is offering free Peer Mentoring for Candidates circles if you are being a candidate for South Australian 2026 council elections at https://wfe203.activehosted.com/f/81
Check out the website by the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECOSA) & the Local Government Association (LGA) for intending candidates at: https://www.councilelections.sa.gov.au/about
Key 2026 election dates include:
• Roll close: 5pm Friday 31 July 2026
• Nominations open: Tuesday 25 August 2026
• Nominations close: 12 noon Tuesday 8 September 2026
• Ballot draw: 9am Wednesday 9 September 2026
• Candidate profiles published online: No later than Tuesday 22 September 2026
• Mail out of voting materials: Thursday 15 October to Wednesday 21 October 2026
• Close of voting (Polling Day): 5pm Wednesday 11 November 2026
• Scrutiny and count: From 9am Saturday 14 November 2026
Key 2026 election dates include:
• Roll close: 5pm Friday 31 July 2026
• Nominations open: Tuesday 25 August 2026
• Nominations close: 12 noon Tuesday 8 September 2026
• Ballot draw: 9am Wednesday 9 September 2026
• Candidate profiles published online: No later than Tuesday 22 September 2026
• Mail out of voting materials: Thursday 15 October to Wednesday 21 October 2026
• Close of voting (Polling Day): 5pm Wednesday 11 November 2026
• Scrutiny and count: From 9am Saturday 14 November 2026
We still have work to do to increase the number of women councillors and achieve a gender balance on our councils!
The number and proportion of female candidates increased moderately to 466 or 37.1% of all candidates, compared to 454 or 33.0% of all candidates in 2018. However, the proportion of candidates who were male continued to be significantly higher at 789 or 62.8% of all candidates down from 919 or 66.9% of all candidates in 2018.
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Record number of women elected 2018 council elections
South Australia had a record number of women mayors elected as well as a record number of women elected in the 2018 council elections. 35% of council members are now female, up from 29% in 2014. Within the 245 women elected to council, 22 women have been appointed as mayors – a significant increase on the nine female mayors elected in 2014. We had 454 women nominate for council in 2018, which is a 20% increase on 2014 and the highest on record. |