File photo: an Electoral Commission voting-station sign in Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch, on 7 May 2014. Photo: HelenOnline (Helen Riding)/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; cropped and SBL branding added. Not a photograph of the November 2026 election.
South Africa votes in the local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. The day is a public holiday, but before you set off, check your registered voting station and put an accepted identity document somewhere you will not forget it.
Those two checks can save an unnecessary trip. Municipal-election voters must use the station where they are registered, rather than simply joining the nearest queue.
When can you vote?
| Voting arrangement | Date and time (SAST) |
|---|---|
| Approved special votes | Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 November 08:00 to 17:00 |
| Election Day | Wednesday 4 November 07:00 to 21:00 |
Sources: SAnews voting-day guide, 26 October 2026; Presidency public-holiday announcement, 15 September 2026.
Special voting requires an approved application. It is not a walk-in early-voting option for everyone. Applications closed at 17:00 on 12 October. Approved arrangements cover either a home visit for someone unable to travel because of their physical condition, or voting at the registered station before Election Day. If you applied, confirm your outcome and arrangement with the IEC before making plans. The commission confirmed the deadline and special-voting dates in its 14 October readiness statement, distributed by the South African Government.
Check the station attached to your registration
Check both your registration details and the station itself using the contact details below.
| Check method | Contact details and charge |
|---|---|
| Website | IEC service website |
| SMS | Send your 13-digit ID number to 32810. R1 per SMS. |
| Send Hi to 060 088 0000. | |
| Contact centre | 0800 11 8000 |
The SMS response includes your registered station and voters’ roll sequence number. Keeping that number handy can help officials find your entry more quickly. These are registration checks, not permission to vote at another station.
Sources: SAnews, 31 October 2026; IEC readiness statement, 14 October 2026.
Which ID documents are accepted?
| Document | Accepted for voting? |
|---|---|
| Smart ID card | Yes |
| Green barcoded ID book | Yes |
| Valid Temporary Identity Certificate | Yes |
| Passport, driving licence, student card or ID photocopy | No |
Source: SAnews voting-day guide, 26 October 2026.
If your ID is ready for collection or you need temporary documentation, Home Affairs has announced extended hours at its front offices. These are Home Affairs service hours, not the special-voting timetable.
| Home Affairs date | Opening hours (SAST) |
|---|---|
| 2 and 3 November 2026 | 08:00 to 18:00 |
| 4 November 2026 | 07:00 to 21:00 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs statement, 27 October 2026. Services include ID collections, ID applications and Temporary Identity Certificates where applicable.
Why might you receive two or three ballots?
| Municipality | Ballot papers |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan municipality | 2: ward councillor; party representation on the metro council. |
| Local municipality | 3: ward councillor; party representation on the local council; party representation on the district council. |
Source: SAnews voting-day guide, 26 October 2026.
Read each ballot separately. In the booth, mark one clear X beside your choice on each paper. Do not add your name or signature. If you make a mistake, ask the presiding officer for help before putting that ballot in the box. Fold completed ballots to keep your choices private.
Help is available, and your choice stays private
Voters with disabilities, including visual impairments, may choose an assistant who is at least 18 and is neither a candidate nor a party agent. Ask the presiding officer about assistance if you do not have a companion. Do not photograph a marked ballot.
Preparation also means looking beyond campaign promises. Compare candidates’ records and plans with the services your community needs. Municipal budgets and audit outcomes can help you judge delivery and financial management without relying only on slogans.
Source and original newsroom item: William Baloyi, “Ready to Vote: Preparing for the 2026 Local Government Elections”, SAnews, 31 October 2026. This guide draws on SAnews reporting and the official statements linked above.
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