The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has opened applications for special votes ahead of South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections, scheduled for 4 November 2026.
Eligible voters have until 12 October 2026 at 17:00 to submit their applications. Special voting will take place on 2 and 3 November, ahead of Election Day.
According to the IEC, special votes fall into two broad categories.
The first is a home-visit special vote for voters who are unable to travel to a voting station because of a physical condition. If approved, an IEC official will visit the voter at their place of confinement, which must be within the voting district where they are registered.
The second category applies to voters who are able to travel to their voting station but cannot vote on Election Day. If approved, these voters will cast their ballots at their registered voting station on 2 or 3 November.
The IEC said special voting arrangements are intended to ensure that eligible voters who cannot participate on Election Day are still able to exercise their right to vote.
Applications can be submitted through the IEC website, by visiting a local IEC office, or, for voting-station special votes, by SMS.
The Commission has urged voters to verify their registration details, including their identity number and voting station information, ahead of the elections.
With the application window now open, eligible voters who anticipate being unable to vote on 4 November are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.
