The Electoral Commission of SA and Business SA are urging the State’s 145,700 small businesses to enrol to vote in their local council elections.

Unlike State and Federal elections, local council elections offer businesses the opportunity to have a say in the future of their local communities.

However, businesses must enrol to vote, with enrolments for the 2022 Local Council Elections in October closing at 5pm on Friday, 29 July.

Across South Australia, less than 5% of all eligible businesses voted in the 2018 elections.

According to the ECSA, this low turnout is likely due to lack of awareness of eligibility. Another factor may be that businesses need to re-enrol for each election.

In casting a vote, even the smallest business is given a voice on who will make decisions on spending, policy and the local community’s future.

In turn, the elected councillors are able to represent their views of their wards, including businesses, on key council decisions.

These may include rezoning, local traffic management, permits and fees, development and planning, parking and business development growth – all of which impact business operations, growth and viability.

More information and enrolment forms are available here.