South Australia’s Attorney-General has revealed that a new batch of uncounted votes from the March state election has been discovered. Kyam Maher indicated the number of ballots is in the “order of dozens” and originates from the electorates of Enfield and Newland.
The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) confirmed the discovery on Tuesday afternoon. Yet, the commission’s statement did not specify when, where, or how the ballots were overlooked, nor did it clarify if they were absentee or postal votes.
A Pattern of Electoral Errors
This latest revelation follows a discovery last week involving more than 600 uncounted ballot papers from a pre-poll booth in Port Pirie. Those ballots were found after the seat of Narungga had already been formally declared for One Nation candidate Chantelle Thomas.
While a subsequent count confirmed the original result in Narungga, the sequence of events has drawn criticism. Election analyst Antony Green stated that the way information is emerging in “dribs and drabs” does not look good for an institution that relies on trust.
Systemic Failures and Operational Challenges
Beyond the counting errors, the 2026 election was marred by several operational hurdles. Liberal Deputy Leader Josh Teague highlighted a “failure to open booths” on polling day and questioned the decision to hold the First Nations Voice to Parliament vote concurrently with the state election.
Staffing issues too played a significant role. Attorney-General Maher acknowledged “significant challenges” regarding staff training and attendance. Reports emerged that some election day staff did not receive key paperwork until a week-and-a-half after the election, potentially contributing to staff shortages.
Investigations and Next Steps
The state government has committed to an independent review of the election, which will be conducted at “arm’s length” from the ECSA. This review may examine the impact of allowing pre-poll votes to be counted on election day for the first time.
Acting Electoral Commissioner Leah McLay has ordered internal investigations into the operational systems that must be improved. She has pledged to ensure the external review receives all necessary information to uphold public confidence.
Regarding the current batch of votes, the ECSA stated they would not affect any House of Assembly seat. However, the upper house votes will be included in the Legislative Council count, which is expected to be finalized by May 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the most recently discovered uncounted votes from?
The newly discovered votes were from the electorates of Enfield and Newland.
Will the latest discovery change the results of the House of Assembly?
No, the ECSA stated that these votes would not have affected any House of Assembly seat.
What is the deadline for the Legislative Council count?
The Legislative Council count is due to be finalised on May 1.
Do you believe an independent review is sufficient to restore trust in the electoral process?
