Information for first time voters
Are you voting for the first time in the 2026 South Australian election?
Plan your vote
Plan when, where and how you’re going to vote!
The Electoral Commission of South Australia have a form you can fill out, digitally or by hand, to help you plan out your vote and ensure you’re prepared.
It has space to plan out where and when you’ll vote and check the weather forecast, as well as work out who your options will be to vote for.
Why do we vote like this?
Our voting system can feel quite complex! So why are elections run this way in SA?
Note: This post may be a bit confusing if you’re not familiar with how we fill in ballots! Check out this post first for more info.
A lot of countries vote 'first past the post' - where the person with the most votes in an electorate, state or country 'wins'. The UK and the USA are examples of this.
This video explains why 'first past the post' can be a terrible way to conduct elections:
Essentially, it mathematically leads to outcomes that are not ideal, and not representative.
Australia and South Australia's democratic process is slightly more modern. We use 'Alternative' or 'Preferential' voting in the lower house (the small green ballot paper). The creator of the above video explains why this system is better:
*Note, in this video, it says you only need to number one square. But in SA and Australia, you need to number every square.
In brief, it's a way of ensuring that the 'winners' are people that at least half the people in the electorate support.
But, that's not enough. The lower house voting still makes it very hard for smaller parties to win seats, meaning people who agree with their policies and ideas may not be represented in parliament.
That's why we have an upper house. The Legislative Council (the big white ballot paper) uses 'proportional' voting. Proportional voting is very complex and mathematical, but it aims to ensure that a party has the amount of seats proportional to it's support.
So, say a group of people wanted to make a fruit salad.
You ask everyone what should go in it.
10% say apples, 10% say banana, 20% say berries and 60% say Kiwi fruit.
Under preferential voting (the green ballot paper model), Kiwi fruit would be the winner, and everyone would eat only Kiwi fruit. While nutritious, it would mean many go without what they wanted.
Under proportional voting, the salad would be made with roughly 10% apple, 10% banana, 20% berries and 60% kiwi fruit.
So preferential voting makes it a bit easier for minority voices to have a say in the law making process.
Once the votes have been counted, and the results have been announced, the 'winners' will form the upper and lower house. For laws to be passed, the law must pass through both houses of parliament. So through both voting systems, it ensures in some way, shape or form, your views will be as best represented as possible when laws are being made.
It's important to think about who you give your '2' and '3' vote to, because it could impact the parliament and government we get after the election.
How do I fill in my ballot?
Note: before you read this, please make sure you're registered to vote. There's nothing worse than showing up on election day and finding out you didn't register, and can't vote. Click here to make sure you're enrolled to vote.
When you get marked off to vote in the state election you’ll be given two ballots. They’re filled in a little differently, so we’ll go through both.
If you’re wondering why we vote the way we do check out this post.
First, some key points:
The ballot papers have the instructions on them, so you don't have to memorise this. It's just to help you be know what you will be faced with.
If you make a mistake, you can always ask for another ballot paper.
If you draw an illustration, or write things on your ballot papers, and those drawings or writing enters the square boxes... there's a chance your vote could not count.
Technically, you don't need to fill in the ballot papers. You can hand them in blank if you really want to.
House of Assembly ballot
Small green ballot
Who am I voting for?
A person to represent your electorate in the House of Assembly (Lower House)
What does that mean?
You’re picking someone who will represent you and your area in South Australia.
What does it look like?
Example Green House of Assembly ballot (source: Electoral Commission of South Australia)
How do I fill it in?
Put a '1' in the box next to your most preferred candidate (or party).
Put a '2' in the next next to your second most preferred.
Keep going until all the boxes are marked.
Make sure the numbers are clear and none are repeated.
You must mark all the boxes for your vote to be valid.
Legislative Council ballot
Big white ballot
Who am I voting for?
The make-up of the Legislative Council (Upper House)
What does that actually mean?
You’re voting for who you think should review legislation passed through the lower house
What does it look like?
Example Legislative Council ballot (source: Electoral Commission of South Australia)
How do I fill it in?
If you vote 'above the line', you need to mark at least one box.
You need put a '1' next to your favourite candidate, and if you want you can continue to number boxes, with a '2' for your second favourite, and so on.
If you vote 'below the line', you need to mark at least twelve boxes 1–12.
However, with both, you are free to mark as many as you like.
Practice ballots
The Electoral Commission has interactive practice ballots available on their website, both can be found via the links below.
Find your state electoral district
There are 47 House of Assembly electoral districts in South Australia and each is represented by a member of parliament. Members of the Legislative Council represent the same one electorate (or the whole of SA).
Use the Electoral Commission South Australia’s interactive boundaries map to find your current electoral district
Find your electoral district here.
Find out more about your electorate via district profiles
How is voting in a state election different to a federal election?
South Australians return to the polls in 2026, but for many young people a federal election is all they’ve been eligible to vote in before. This election may even be the first ever election you can vote in.
Broadly, this election is to elect state representatives who will make decisions in areas that are state responsibilities. For more info on what different levels of government are responsible for here.
We vote in ALMOST the same way in both state and federal elections. We get a lower house (green) and upper house (white) ballot to fill out and number every box on the lower house ballot from your most to least preferred candidate.
The upper house ballot is where we have a key difference. You still have the option to vote ‘above’ or ‘below’ the line, but if you’re voting above you only need to number one box, rather than numbering at least six in a federal election.
If you’re voting below the line it’s the same as the federal election, number at least 12 boxes.
We preference candidates so that if your first choice doesn’t get the votes they need to win a seat your vote can transfer to your next choice. Your vote will only ever be transferred by the preferences you select.
Election cycles are often accompanied by misinformation circulating on social media about preferences, and one we hear every time is: preferencing minor parties and independents is a wasting your vote.
The idea that voting for someone who may not get enough votes to win a seat isn’t valid is quite simply untrue. If the seat is going to come down to the two major parties then your vote will just transfer to whichever you preferenced higher.
Election season self-care
Feeling the election fatigue? Here’s 10 ways to look after yourself in the lead up to the election.
Feeling the election fatigue already?
The following are our top 10 tips for looking after yourself during election season.
1. Identify the issues most important to you this election.
If there’s one thing we can always expect from election campaigns it’s noise, and a lot of it. One way to cut through it is to focus on the issues important to you and where parties and candidates stand on them – then you can start from their policies, usually available on their websites, rather than relying on campaign trail press conferences to tell you what you want to know.
The ABC’s Vote Compass is a great way to find out how you align with parties as a whole too.
2. Take a break from doom-scrolling.
Election season is prime time for scrolling social media and looking up to realise it’s dark outside. Avoiding doom-scrolling isn’t easy, but making sure you’re taking breaks from socials and media outlets is a great start.
3. Try to switch up how you get your political info.
Reading articles burning you out? There’s nothing wrong with switching to Tik Tok or following news on other socials for much shorter form content. A change in source might also diversify the viewpoints and perspectives you’re looking at, which is an added bonus.
4. Maintain a routine.
While tempting, those highlights from Q&A will still be there tomorrow. Make sure you prioritise staying fed, hydrated and well rested. It’s also a hell of a lot easier to cope with campaigning and election coverage when you’ve gotten enough sleep!
5. Don’t go it alone.
Elections make for high-stress periods, and regardless of if you know exactly who you’re voting for or are undecided the campaigning can be brutal. This is extra important for those of us who are part of marginalised groups, watching discourse and debate about your rights and identity can be pretty horrifying. Connect with your loved ones, chances are you’re thinking about the same or similar issues.
6. Don’t let the polls freak you out.
We have a post on what polls are and when they’re important which you can read here. We’re in for weeks of commentary on polls, but make sure you read beyond the headline and look for the numbers.
7. Opt for entertainment on platforms that don’t host political ads.
Unlike YouTube and traditional TV, most streaming services don’t run the risk of a Clive Palmer jump scare. Regardless of who you vote for, we can all use a break from ads that end with ‘authorised by’. Binge watching is also a great distraction from politics.
8. Go for a walk
It had to be on here somewhere, but a silly little walk for your silly little mental health can’t be underestimated. Fresh air, exercise and a change of scenery are a winning combination for election stress. Bonus points if you’ve got a pet to join you.
9. Work out when you’re going to vote.
Election day is Saturday 3 May, but early voting will start on Tuesday 22 April. Check your calendar and your roster ahead of time, if you’re unable to get to a polling booth on election day you’ll need to vote early or apply for a postal vote. Sort this earlier rather than later to avoid scrambling to work out when you can sneak out of work to vote on the day.
Remember that voting in this election is compulsory and not doing so will result in a fine.
10. Think about what you’re going to do on election night.
For some, not watching election night coverage isn’t an option, but whether that’s you or not it’s a good idea to think about what your election night will look like. Turning off news notifications and avoiding socials might be more your vibe, or maybe you have a designated pal who’s going to keep the group chat updated, you’ll know what’s best for you! Remember, there’s no guarantee that we’ll have an outcome when the night is over, so even if you’re tuning in, we might not know.
YACSA's Election Day Guide
Where do you vote? What do you bring? How do you fill in the ballot paper? What's a democracy sausage? We've got the answers.
Where do you vote? What do you bring? How do you fill in the ballot paper? What's a democracy sausage? We've got the answers.
THE 6 STEP ELECTION DAY GUIDE.
From the moment you arrive, until the moment you leave, here's what to expect and what to do.
Step 1: Preparation
Firstly - have you enrolled to vote? Click here to make sure you're enrolled to vote.
WHERE CAN I VOTE?
You can vote at any 'polling booth'.
The easiest and quickest way to vote is to go to a polling booth within the electorate you are voting in.
If you are not going to be in your electorate, in South Australia, or even if you’re going to be overseas for the election, or if you won't be able to get to a polling booth, click here to find out about postal voting.
WHAT DO I BRING?
All you need to bring is yourself!
Step 2: 'How to Vote' forms
The moment you arrive, there will be a bunch of people handing you 'how to vote cards'.
These are recommendations from the parties on how they would like you to vote.
They are NOT mandatory.
Feel free to refuse to take them.
Feel free to use them.
Feel free to recycle them.
Feel free to fold them into unique pieces of origami.
But you don't HAVE to do anything with them.
Bonus YACSA tip:
'How to vote' cards make fantastic paper aeroplanes.
Step 3: Queuing
You will enter a queue.
The queue might be very long.
Brace yourself.
Bonus YACSA tip:
We recommend sharing Smashed Avocado stories with people around you to pass the time.
Step 4: Ticking your name off
You will walk up to the official person at the desk.
They will find you on the electoral roll and cross off your name, give you your ballot papers, and send you on your way to a small, cardboard voting booth.
Bonus YACSA tip:
There's thousands of people in their book. It might take them a while to find your name. They've had a long day. Be nice to the election officials.
Step 5: Actually voting
For now, here are the basics:
For the GREEN ballot paper:
Put a '1' in the box next to your favourite candidate.
Put a '2' next to your second choice.
Keep going down until EVERY BOX IS NUMBERED.
Note: you can also go reverse, and put the lowest number possible for your least favourite candidate and work your way up.
You can find a practice green ballot here.
For the WHITE ballot paper:
Same as above, in that you put a '1' next to your favourite candidate, a '2' for your second favourite, and so on.
If you vote 'below the line', you need to mark at least 12 boxes.
If you vote 'above the line', you need to number at least six boxes from 1 to 6.
However, with both, you are free to mark as many more as you like.
You can find a practice white ballot here.
If you make a mistake, you can always ask the official for a new sheet.
When you're done, take your ballot papers and put them in the fancy looking box.
Bonus YACSA tip:
Skip the graffiti on your ballot papers, while you’re allowed to it ultimately just makes the election officials job harder when they’re counting votes. There are waaaaaay better ways to express your political views or frustrations - like becoming a YACSA young member! (click here to sign up!)
Step 6: Reward yourself
Well done! You have just democracy-ed. (Yes, we made that word up).
It's time to celebrate.
We recommend grabbing a democracy sausage before you leave (or a gluten free/vegan alternative).
The democracy sausage is a time honoured tradition unique to Australian democracy, where the local sausage sizzle is a vital part of the voting experience - and it helps raise money for the local school/community group.