Current position (22 September 2026): South Africa's local government elections will be held on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. The date has been proclaimed, so ordinary voter registration and address changes for this election are closed. Applications for special votes are open until 23:59 on 12 October 2026.

Local elections decide who runs the municipality responsible for many services you use every day: water, refuse collection, local roads, streetlights, sanitation, municipal electricity and billing. This guide explains what to check now, how the ballots work and what to do if you cannot reach your voting station on election day.

The dates to know

  • 4 November 2026: election day
  • 12 October 2026 at 23:59: special-vote application deadline
  • 2 and 3 November 2026: special-voting days

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs proclaimed the date on 7 August 2026. That proclamation closed the voters' roll and started the IEC election timetable.

Can I still register or change my address?

Not for this election. Registration closed when the election was proclaimed on 7 August 2026. You should still check your record now so you know which voting station and ward apply to you.

Use the IEC voter information service, the official IEC app, or send your ID number to 32810 by SMS. The SMS costs R1. You can also call the IEC on 0800 11 8000.

If the record is wrong, contact the IEC immediately for advice. Do not assume you may vote at any station: municipal voting is linked to where you are registered.

How many ballot papers will I receive?

The number depends on where you live.

If you live in a metropolitan municipality

You receive two ballots:

  1. A ward ballot for an individual ward candidate
  2. A proportional representation (PR) ballot for a political party

The eight metros are Buffalo City, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Johannesburg, Mangaung, Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane.

If you live in a local municipality outside a metro

You generally receive three ballots:

  1. A ward candidate ballot
  2. A local-council PR party ballot
  3. A district-council PR party ballot

You may vote for different parties or candidates on different ballots. Each ballot is counted separately.

What is the difference between ward and PR councillors?

A ward councillor wins the most votes in a defined geographic ward and represents that area directly. A PR councillor receives a seat from a party list according to the party's overall share of the vote. Together, these two systems aim to combine local representation with proportional results.

How to apply for a special vote

Apply by 12 October 2026 if you cannot vote normally on 4 November. A home visit is intended for a voter who cannot travel because of physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy. A voting-station special vote may be requested if you cannot attend on election day for another reason.

You can apply:

  • Through the secure special-vote service on elections.org.za
  • Through the official IEC app
  • By sending your ID number to 32249 for a voting-station special vote (R1 per SMS)
  • At your local IEC office using the prescribed form

Special voting takes place on 2 and 3 November 2026. Check your application status online or SMS your ID number to 32711.

Your election-day checklist

  • Confirm your voting station before leaving home
  • Take an original green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or valid Temporary Identity Certificate
  • Review the candidate lists from the IEC rather than relying on forwarded messages
  • Allow enough time: stations are due to operate from 07:00 to 21:00
  • Ask an IEC official for help if you cannot read a ballot or need accessible assistance
  • Never photograph your marked ballot or let another person tell you how to vote

What if there is false election information online?

Check claims against the IEC website and official notices. Be cautious of posts claiming the date changed, registration reopened, a digital vote is available or a fee is required. Voting and IEC registration services are free, apart from stated SMS charges.

Sources and further reading

Important: Election deadlines are legally fixed but can be affected by court orders. Confirm late-breaking notices directly with the IEC.