Have you been given time off work to vote on Wednesday, 4 November?

With the 2026 Local Government Elections taking place on Wednesday, 4 November, workers are being urged to check their voting arrangements and speak to their employers if they need time to cast their ballots.

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has called on employers and employees to make reasonable arrangements that support voter participation while taking workplace operations and service delivery into account.

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Election Day has been declared a national public holiday. However, employees who are scheduled to work should not assume that they can simply leave their shift without making arrangements.

Meth has encouraged employers and workers to plan together so eligible employees can exercise their right to vote.

What if you are working on Election Day?

If you are due to work on Wednesday, speak to your employer as soon as possible about when you can vote.

Polling stations are scheduled to be open from 07:00 to 21:00, giving voters time to cast their ballots before or after work, where their shift and travel arrangements allow.

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Where can you vote?

You must vote at the voting station where you are registered. You cannot simply go to another station because it is closer to your workplace or because you are in a different town.

Check your registration and voting-station details before leaving for the polls. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) provides voter information through its website and voter-service channels.

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What must you bring?

Bring your South African identity document: a green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or valid Temporary Identity Certificate.

A driver’s licence or passport is not accepted as a voting document.

What will you be voting for?

These are Local Government Elections, so voters will choose representatives for their local councils.

The ballot papers you receive depend on the type of municipality in which you are registered.

In a metropolitan municipality, voters receive two ballots: one for a ward candidate and one for a political party.

In areas with local and district municipalities, voters receive three ballots: one for a ward candidate, one for a party on the local council ballot and one for a party on the district council ballot.

Check before you go

The IEC advises voters to confirm their registration and voting station ahead of Election Day.

If you have moved since registering, do not assume your voting station has changed.

The department’s message is for employers and employees to plan together.

Meth said that with cooperation and proper planning, workplaces can support workers who wish to vote while ensuring that operations continue.