Applications for special votes for South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections are now open, giving registered voters who will be unable to vote normally on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballots beforehand.
Applications opened on Monday, 21 September, and will close at 17:00 on Monday, 12 October 2026. Special voting will take place on 2 and 3 November, ahead of the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. (South African Government)
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), special votes are intended for registered voters who would otherwise be unable to participate on Election Day.
There are two main types of special votes.
The first allows for a home visit for registered voters who are unable to physically go to their voting station because of their physical condition. This may include people living with disabilities, certain elderly voters and pregnant women who are unable to attend their voting station. If the application is approved, election officials will visit the voter at the place where they are staying, provided it is within the vo-ting district in which they are registered. (South African Government)
The second category is for registered voters who are physically able to visit their voting station but will not be able to vote there on 4 November. This could include people who have work-related commitments on Election Day, such as those working in essential services or the media. Approved applicants in this category will vote at their registered voting station during the special voting period on 2 or 3 November. (South African Government)
Applications can be submitted online through the IEC’s special-vote application portal. The IEC has also indicated that applications may be made by SMSing a voter’s identity number to 32249, at a cost of R1 per SMS, or by submitting the prescribed application form at a local IEC office. (SABC News)
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared 4 November 2026 a public holiday for the Local Government Elections. Vo-ters will be required to cast their ballots at the voting stations in the wards where they are registered. (South African Government)
Registered voters who need a special vote are encouraged to apply before the 12 October deadline.
Online applications:
registertovote.elections.org.za/voter/specialvotes/application/submit
Special vote applications open for 2026 Local Government Elections
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