Council notified of recount for Ranges Ward vacancy

Adelaide Hills Council has received notification from the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) that a vacancy for a Councillor in the Ranges Ward will be filled by a recount on 7 April 2026.

The supplementary election for Mayor on 10 February 2026 resulted in Nathan Daniell being elected, creating a further vacancy in Ranges Ward. Updated advice from ECSA provides that as the vacancy occurred within 12 months of a supplementary election, it must be filled in accordance with section 6A of the Local government (Elections) Act 1999.

A supplementary election for Ranges Ward was previously held on 23 September 2025, in which Lisa Clare Woolcock was elected. Five candidates from that election have confirmed their eligibility to fill the current vacancy and will be included in the recount.

The scrutiny and count will commence at 9am on 7 April 2026 at ECSA’s Central Processing Centre, 7 Hudson Ct, Netley. 

In terms of how the count is undertaken, this is governed by Regulation 4 (c)(ii)(A) of the Local Government (Elections) Regulations 2025. 

The effect of this regulation is that Cr Clare Woolcock’s votes will be redistributed according to preferences and the usual preferential counting process will continue until a quota is met.

ECSA has confirmed that Council will not be charged for the recount.

Find out more about the previous supplementary elections at the Electoral Commission website: South Australian Elections 2026 - South Australian Electoral Commission - Past council elections