Elections 2026: Five key things ALL voters need to know

South Africans will head to the polls on Wednesday, 4 November, to elect the municipal representatives who will make decisions affecting their communities over the next five years.

From choosing ward councillors and political parties to deciding who governs municipalities, the Local Government Elections give voters an opportunity to influence how their towns and cities are run.

With election day approaching, here are FIVE key things voters need to know before casting their ballots.

1. When and where to vote

The 2026 Local Government Elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November.

Voting stations will be open from 07:00 to 21:00.

Unlike national and provincial elections, voters in local government elections must cast their ballots at the voting station where they are registered.

This means voters cannot simply visit the nearest voting station if they are registered elsewhere.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) encourages voters to check their registration details and confirm their voting station before election day.

Voters can do so through the IEC website or by sending their ID number to 32810.

2. You will receive either two or three ballot papers

The number of ballot papers voters receive depends on where they live.

Voters in South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities will receive two ballot papers:

• A ward ballot, on which voters choose their preferred ward councillor candidate
• A proportional representation (PR) ballot, on which voters choose a political party

Voters in the country’s other 205 municipalities will receive three ballot papers:

• A ward ballot for their preferred ward councillor candidate
• A PR ballot for the local municipal council
• A district council PR ballot for the political party they want represented at district level

Voters can choose different candidates and political parties on their ballot papers. Each vote is counted separately.

3. What identification do you need?

Voters must present an acceptable form of identification at their registered voting station.

The accepted documents include:

• A green barcoded South African ID book
• A smart ID card
• A valid temporary identity certificate

Election officials will check the voter’s details against the voters’ roll before issuing ballot papers.

Voters should ensure that their ballot papers are stamped at the back before proceeding to the voting booth.

4. How to mark your ballot papers

Once inside the voting booth, voters must make a clear cross (X) next to their preferred candidate or political party on each ballot paper.

Only one choice should be marked on each ballot paper.

A ballot paper containing multiple marks or an unclear choice could be rejected as a spoilt ballot.

After marking their choices, voters must fold their ballot papers and place them in the appropriate ballot boxes.

If you make a mistake before placing a ballot paper in the box, ask an election official for assistance and a replacement ballot paper. Once a ballot has been placed in the ballot box, it cannot be retrieved.

5. What exactly are voters deciding?

Local government elections determine who represents communities in municipal councils and which political parties have the numbers to govern municipalities.

The elected councils make decisions about services and infrastructure that directly affect residents, including:

• Water supply and sanitation
• Electricity distribution
• Refuse collection and waste management
• Local roads and stormwater infrastructure
• Municipal planning and development
• Parks and public facilities

The outcome also influences the formation of municipal coalitions where no single party wins enough seats to govern outright.

Voters are therefore choosing more than a political party. They are deciding who will represent their neighbourhoods and help make decisions about local services and municipal spending.

With election day approaching, voters are encouraged to check their registration details, confirm their voting station and familiarise themselves with the ballot papers they will receive.