HOW to check if you’re registered to vote on 4 November

Are you registered to vote in local government elections on Wednesday 4 November 2026? With less than two weeks to go, now is the time to confirm you’re on the voters’ roll, and in the correct right ward you think you are.

CHECK IF YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE

• Go to elections.org.za and enter your 13-digit ID number.
• A green banner reading ‘You are registered’ confirms your status and your ward. Your voting district and station will be listed underneath.
• You can send your ID number to 32810 at R1 per SMS.
• Phone the IEC contact centre is on 0800 118 000.
• Use the voting station finder by typing your address into maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder to see your local station and ward.
• If you voted in 2021 or 2024 and haven’t moved, you should still be on the roll, but it’s worth checking.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN CORRECT AREA?

Here’s the catch, in local elections you must be registered to vote at the station where you ordinarily live. In 2024, some voters could cast a ballot elsewhere, but not this time. Your registration address decides your ward, and your ward decides which councillor candidates appear on your ballot.

And it’s too late to change now if you haven’t registered to vote in your area. The IEC voters’ roll closed on 7 August 2026. What this means in practice is:

• Registered at an old address? Sorry for you. You will have to travel to your old voting station to vote.
• Not on the roll at all? You cannot vote on 4 November at all.
• Hoping for a special vote? Applications closed on 12 October, and special votes are only for approved applicants, taking place on 2 and 3 November.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

• Check your status and station, and whether you are indeed registered to vote, and where.
• If your station is far from home, work out transport now.
• Bring along your ID: Smart ID card, green barcoded ID book or temporary ID certificate all count.
• Voting stations open at 7am and close at 9pm on 4 November, which is a public holiday.

But what do you think? Do you know if you’re registered to vote or not? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …