The Electoral Commission of SA (ECSA) has joined forces with the South Australian Business Chamber to launch an enrolment campaign encouraging South Australian businesses to have their say in the Local Council Elections in November.
Local Council Elections are held every four years for the 67 councils across the state, with up to 1500 people nominating for the 224 plus council or mayoral positions across South Australia.
Many business owners may not realise they are eligible to vote in the Council Elections, but unlike individual voters in South Australia who, if they are on the electoral roll for state elections, automatically get a vote, businesses need to enrol by Friday, 29 July.
Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry said together with the South Australian Business Chamber; they were calling on South Australian businesses to enrol to vote in the Local Council Elections.
“We are pleased to launch an enrolment campaign in partnership with the South Australian Business Chamber to give businesses a voice in the Local Council Elections,” he said.
“Just like homeowners, businesses based in a local council are eligible to vote in the Local Council Elections.
“This is an opportunity for businesses to have a say on key Council-related areas, including rezoning, local traffic management, permits and fees, development and planning, parking and business development growth.
“If a business is in a different council area or ward to where the business owner lives, they may be eligible to vote in both the council area where they live and the council area where their business is based.
“South Australia is home to around 145,700 small businesses – so we encourage them to get online and register their business so they can vote and have their say in the 2022 Council Elections.”
As the new CEO of the South Australian Business Chamber, Andrew Kay, said that the more the business community get involved with their local area, the more opportunities they have for success.
“Having recently moved from a regionally based business, I saw first-hand the benefits of interacting with the community, and this extended to the local council,” he said.
“By enrolling to vote as a business, you’re giving yourself the chance to have your say and be heard by the decision-makers whose actions may ultimately influence your chances of success.”
Enrolment forms for businesses can be found at www.councilelections.sa.gov.au. Simply complete your enrolment form and return it by post or email.
To vote in the Local Council Elections, businesses must complete and return their enrolment forms by Friday, 29 July
For more information, visit www.councilelections.sa.gov.au or ecsa.sa.gov.au
Local Business? Vote Local.
Media contacts:
Lisa Reichstein
CALLIE Communications and PR Manager
+61 481 238 560
Tanya Wilkins
The South Australian Business Chamber Director, Media and Communication
tanya.wilkins@business-sa.com
+61 481 744 550
