{"id":554512,"date":"2026-03-21T07:58:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T07:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/554512\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T07:58:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T07:58:17","slug":"south-australians-head-to-the-polls-in-the-2026-state-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/554512\/","title":{"rendered":"South Australians head to the polls in the 2026 state election"},"content":{"rendered":"

41m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:16amHow to watch ABC election coverage\"Sara<\/p>\n

We’ve been getting a few questions from the audience on how to watch the ABC’s SA election coverage across the country.<\/p>\n

You can watch our coverage live on the News Channel from 6pm SA time, or live stream it on ABC iview,\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0and ABC Adelaide’s Facebook page.<\/p>\n

For those of you in South Australia, you can watch on ABC TV\u00a0or listen on Local Radio across the state.<\/p>\n

Results will also be published live on our website.<\/p>\n

Just nowSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:57am<\/p>\n

Treasurer says One Nation can win lower house seats\"Daniel<\/p>\n

On ABC TV’s election night coverage, SA Treasurer and Labor heavyweight Tom Koutsantonis was asked whether he thought One Nation could win lower house seats.<\/p>\n

He said he did.<\/p>\n

“I think if you’re going to get over 20 per cent of the vote, there’s going to be some seats where they’re going to poll exceptionally well,” he said.<\/p>\n

“They’ll have lots of votes in different seats.<\/p>\n

“It depends where those votes are. It depends a lot on who comes third and who comes second. It’s a very simple formula – keep the dominant party under 50 per cent, come second and receive everyone’s preferences.”<\/p>\n

2m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:54am<\/p>\n

Where can One Nation do well in Adelaide?\"Sara<\/p>\n

The ABC’s Chief Elections and Data Analyst Casey Briggs says it’s hard question to answer, and One Nation has traditionally done better in regional parts of Australia than in the cities.<\/p>\n

“Traditionally, and the results of the last federal election suggest, southern Adelaide, areas around Port Noarlunga, that sort of area, seats like Kaurna and Reynell, you might expect One Nation to poll well, and in the north, Elizabeth, Gawler, Salisbury, those sorts of areas.”<\/p>\n

However these seats are considered safe Labor seats, Mr Briggs said.<\/p>\n

10m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:47am<\/p>\n

Mount Gambier ready to have a voice again\"Daniel<\/p>\n

After six months without a local MP, Mount Gambier voters say they are excited to have a representative in the House of Assembly again.<\/p>\n

The seat of Mount Gambier has been vacant since former member Troy Bell resigned in August 2025, after being convicted of fraud and theft offences.<\/p>\n

\"AFormer Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell\u2019s name was scrubbed from the seat\u2019s electoral office, after he resigned last year. (ABC News: Joshua Brine)<\/p>\n

\u201cOur voice is not really being heard since we lost our state representative, so it\u2019s really important that we can get somebody in that chair as soon as we can,\u201d said Karmyn Smith, a Mount Gambier local. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve felt disappointed, for us it was an opportunity missed to raise issues, [but] we\u2019ve found some of the representatives easily approachable and contactable about issues,\u201d said voter Lucas Veno.<\/p>\n

\"ASouth East voter Lucas Veno. (ABC News: Joshua Brine)<\/p>\n

Reporting by Elyse Armanini<\/p>\n

16m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:41am<\/p>\n

More comments from our audience around queues today\"Sara<\/p>\n

I don’t fully sympathise with the comments on the queue lengths at polling stations today – we’ve literally all had days and days to cast our votes in early voting centres, where we can avoid queues and subsequently keep our Saturday completely free! I personally did a postal vote this year and it was the most convenient method of voting I’ve ever used – so perhaps it’s not a question of ‘antiquated voting practices’, and more a question of voting smarter by utilising these methods the Electoral Commission offer prior to Election Day?<\/p>\n

– Luke<\/p>\n

Thanks for your thoughts Luke!<\/p>\n

19m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:38am<\/p>\n

Liberal balloons go up\"Daniel<\/p>\n

The polls may have been deflating for the Liberals, but the mood has been buoyant during preparations for the party’s election night event.<\/p>\n

The function is being held at Morphettville Racecourse.<\/p>\n

And with voting now closed, the parties are now in the final straight after an arduous campaign \u2014 and it’s a case of “they’re off and they’re racing”.<\/p>\n

\"LiberalBalloons at the Liberal HQ. (ABC News: Tricia Watkinson)27m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:30amPolls closed!\"Sara<\/p>\n

It’s 6pm in SA and polls are now closed!<\/p>\n

Polling staff and scrutineers will now begin counting votes.<\/p>\n

Votes are being tallied at around 600 polling booths and 50 early voting centres around the state.<\/p>\n

A change in electoral rules means for the first time early votes can be counted and reported on election night.<\/p>\n

The electoral commission says more than a third of South Australians cast their votes early, a record number.<\/p>\n

Additional reporting Emma Masters<\/p>\n

29m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:28am<\/p>\n

From the beach to the booths\"Daniel<\/p>\n

The sun was shining and the water was crystal clear in Port Lincoln today.<\/p>\n

Jasmin Boyce and her daughter Pippa came straight from the beach to the voting centre at the Nautilus Arts Centre in the Flinders electorate.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jasmin and Pippa. (ABC News: Duncan Bailey)<\/p>\n

Ms Boyce said this year’s election felt different, with a larger pool of candidates to pick from.<\/p>\n

“It’s really cool to see some new independent members stepping up,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I look for someone who’s going to be focused on the environment and also the health system \u2026 I think we lack that here in the regional community.”<\/p>\n

Reporting by Duncan Bailey<\/p>\n

32m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:25am<\/p>\n

When will we see results?\"Sara<\/p>\n

What time approximately will we start to see results coming in? <\/p>\n

– Tom<\/p>\n

Hi Tom!<\/p>\n

Polls will close at 6pm SA time. We should start to see some results come in about half an hour after that.<\/p>\n

35m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:22am<\/p>\n

We love a democracy sausage!\"Sara<\/p>\n

No mention of the very important Sausage Sizzle Party. They always get my vote… 2 this year!<\/p>\n

– Andrew<\/p>\n

\"SausagesSausages at a polling booth earlier this morning. (ABC News: Sharne Wakefield)<\/p>\n

38m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:18am<\/p>\n

One Nation support\"Sara<\/p>\n

Earlier today in Mawson Lakes, the ABC spoke with\u00a0Greg McCarthy\u00a0who said he was voting for One Nation\u00a0because of the party’s immigration policy.<\/p>\n

“They are the only people worth voting for, essentially,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Like a lot of people, we’ve had enough of major parties and Pauline’s doing the right thing standing up for Australia, so that’s where we’re going.”<\/p>\n

\"AGreg McCarthy said he was voting for One Nation. (ABC News: Aiden McNamara)<\/p>\n

Juan Lovegrove voted for Labor.<\/p>\n

“I’m a Labor supporter and all that stuff and I support their values, especially for the state,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I find that they’re looking out for us even through tough times.”<\/p>\n

He said One Nation had run a strong campaign and would take votes from the Liberals.<\/p>\n

“I think like they’ll get a fair share of the votes but it won’t be enough to get a full seat \u2014 but it’ll be close,” he said.<\/p>\n

46m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:11am<\/p>\n

Can One Nation win more votes but fewer seats than the Liberals?\"Sara<\/p>\n

On one hand, I read One Nation polling higher than the Liberals but then I also have heard in some projections, they are unlikely to win even 1 lower house seat. Can you explain? On the face of it that doesn’t seem democratic?<\/p>\n

– Dennis<\/p>\n

Without getting too technical, it’s because of the voting system used in Lower House elections.<\/p>\n

It is definitely possible for\u00a0One Nation\u00a0to get more votes than the Liberals but win fewer Lower House seats.<\/p>\n

In that scenario, it would be because preferences the Liberals have picked up from other parties have got them over the line.<\/p>\n

Hope this answers your question!<\/p>\n

50m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:06am<\/p>\n

A tale of two booths in the Riverland\"Sara<\/p>\n

In the hot afternoon sun, queues stretched into the carpark at\u00a0Loxton High School\u00a0in the\u00a0Riverland\u00a0electorate of\u00a0Chaffey.<\/p>\n

With temperatures in the high 20s, polling booth workers allowed families with young children and the elderly to skip the line, which peaked at 200 metres around 10am.<\/p>\n

\"APeople line up to vote in Loxton. (ABC News: Jackson Byrne)<\/p>\n

Loxton\u00a0resident\u00a0Bill O’Neil\u00a0said he was more concerned about the flies than the lines.<\/p>\n

He said voting seemed “pretty quick” and he was glad to be taken to the front of the queue.<\/p>\n

\"ABill O’Neil voted in the Riverland this morning.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, there were no lines about 7 kilometres away at\u00a0Loxton North Primary School, which had experienced tech issues earlier in the day.<\/p>\n

Reporting by Jackson Byrne<\/p>\n

54m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:03amLabor HQ prepping for big night\"Daniel<\/p>\n

The scene is set for a big night at Labor HQ \u2014 held at the Drive alongside Adelaide Oval.<\/p>\n

Staffers are getting everything organised and we expect supporters to start trickling in slowly after the polls close at 6pm.<\/p>\n

The premier will also make his way here later in the evening and deliver what is widely expected to be a victory speech.<\/p>\n

\"AInside the venue of Labor’s election function. (ABC News: Eva Blandis)<\/p>\n

Reporting by Eva Blandis and Kathryn Bermingham<\/p>\n

58m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 6:59am<\/p>\n

Confusion in the Opal Capital leaves the town in ‘a bit of a dizzy’\"Sara<\/p>\n

Coober Pedy local Lindsay Payne showed up to cast his vote today, only to find the polling booth was not where he expected.<\/p>\n

Unlike previous elections, the Electoral Commission did not plan any voting services for the outback town today and instead provided early voting on March 14 and 15.<\/p>\n

However, many residents said they did not find out about the change until after those dates, leaving them with either a 1,000-kilometre round trip or no opportunity to vote at all.<\/p>\n

\"ACoober Pedy residents couldn’t vote today. (ABC News: Che Chorley)<\/p>\n

After residents voiced their concerns, the ECSA yesterday announced it would divert a plane heading to flood-affected areas to Coober Pedy to ensure the town could vote.<\/p>\n

But the changes flew under Mr Payne’s radar and with the plane packed up and gone, he does not think he will be able to vote.<\/p>\n

“I went into town to go and vote, and there wasn’t anybody there,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I spoke to my pastor up here too; he told me that the whole town is in a bit of a dizzy at the moment \u2026 nobody knows what’s going on.”<\/p>\n

The Electoral Commission has previously said residents would not be fined for failing to vote.<\/p>\n

Reporting by Isabella Kelly<\/p>\n

1h agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 6:55am<\/p>\n

Comment from the audience regarding long queues\"Sara<\/p>\n

We placed an absentee vote in Finnis for our electorate Bragg. Will do it again the line was shorter than those within the electorate. We really need to make it easier to exercise our democratic rights – the long queues need to be redressed. Surely there is a [somewhere] we could login, online and vote. This IRL process is antiquated in a digital age.<\/p>\n

– Angela <\/p>\n

Thanks for your feedback Angela.<\/p>\n

Please keep your comments coming!<\/p>\n

1h agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 6:50am<\/p>\n

Technology hiccups felt right across the state\"Sara<\/p>\n

While some booths across the state battled with technology, illness was behind a delayed start at SA’s southernmost polling booth.<\/p>\n

\"PeopleLines at a Mount Gambier polling booth. (ABC News: Joshua Brine)<\/p>\n

Voters at Port MacDonnell, in the seat of Mount Gambier, had to wait until midday to cast their ballot due to illness-related staffing shortages.<\/p>\n

Local voter Bruce Kent was planning on voting earlier in the morning, but came back later in the day.<\/p>\n

“It’s a bit ridiculous. It’s a central town in a big area \u2013 a lot of people vote here,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"ABruce Kent has planned to vote earlier in the day but couldn’t.<\/p>\n

ECSA said staff were redeployed from other booths to ensure the booth at Port MacDonnell could eventually open 4 hours late.<\/p>\n

Reporting by Joshua Brine<\/p>\n

1h agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 6:46am<\/p>\n

Long queues reported earlier\"Sara<\/p>\n

Long queues were snaking around Goodwood Primary School this morning in the marginal Liberal (2.2 per cent) seat of Unley.<\/p>\n

Liberal candidate Rosalie Rotolo was seen handing out flyers and putting in every last effort to sway undecided voters.<\/p>\n

Retiring Liberal David Pisoni has held the seat since 2006.<\/p>\n

\"LongA long queue at the Goodwood Primary School polling booth. (ABC News: Evelyn Leckie)<\/p>\n

While long a safe Liberal seat, the 2022 election saw a far more mixed geographic result, with Labor recording majorities across polling places in the northern half of Unley, while the Liberals won most booths further south.<\/p>\n

Reporting by Evelyn Leckie<\/p>\n

1h agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 6:45am<\/p>\n

Furry friend overlooks Eyre Peninsula polling centre\"Daniel<\/p>\n

Even the koalas are excited about democracy!<\/p>\n

This furry friend was spotted in a tree at the Lincoln Gardens Primary School voting centre in Port Lincoln.<\/p>\n

\"\"A democracy koala at Port Lincoln. (ABC News: Duncan Bailey)<\/p>\n

Voters, however, were scarce as the clock ticked closer to the end of polling day.<\/p>\n

Reporting by Duncan Bailey<\/p>\n

1h agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 6:39amABC barred from One Nation function\"Daniel<\/p>\n

The ABC will have reporters at the election functions of the major parties \u2013 but not at tonight’s One Nation gathering.<\/p>\n

The party has barred the ABC from its function at the Kent Town Hotel, the same venue where it held its campaign launch a month ago.<\/p>\n

It cited the ABC’s reporting over its now-dumped candidate for Adelaide, Aoi Baxter<\/a>, as the reason for its decision.<\/p>\n

One Nation’s rise in the polls has been one of the major stories of the campaign, with tonight’s election count looming as a litmus test for the party at national level.<\/p>\n

\"\"Pauline Hanson and Cory Bernardi at the Kent Town Hotel at the party’s campaign launch. (ABC News)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"41m agoSat 21 Mar 2026 at 7:16amHow to watch ABC election coverage We’ve been getting a few questions…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":554513,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[45464,64,63,7285,273984,4268,1788,7173,4125,44,60504,24805,249289],"class_list":["post-554512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-ashton-hurn","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-blog","tag-cory-benardi","tag-election","tag-labor","tag-liberals","tag-live","tag-news","tag-one-nation","tag-peter-malinauskas","tag-sa-votes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/554512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=554512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/554512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/554513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=554512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=554512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=554512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}