Special vote applications open for 2026 local government elections

Applications for special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections opened on Monday, 21 September, with eligible voters given until 17:00 on 12 October to apply.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said special votes are intended to assist people who would otherwise be unable to vote at their voting stations on election day, 4 November.

There are two broad categories of special votes.

The first is a home visit special vote for voters who are unable to travel to a voting station because of their physical condition. If approved, election officials will visit the voter at their place of confinement, which must be within the voting district where they are registered.

The second category is for voters who can physically attend a voting station but will not be able to vote there on election day.

If approved, these voters will cast their ballots at their registered voting station during the two days before election day.

The IEC has also urged voters who will be away from their voting districts on 4 November to apply for a special vote. This includes people working in essential services and members of the media.

How to apply

Eligible voters can apply for a special vote through the following channels:

• The IEC website at www.elections.org.za.

• By SMSing their identity number to 32249 at a cost of R1 per SMS. This option is only available for special votes cast at a voting station.

• By visiting their local IEC office and submitting a Special Vote Application form.

The IEC said forms must be hand-delivered to a local office. Applications cannot be submitted by email or fax, although another person may deliver a completed form on the applicant's behalf.

Voters are reminded that an approved special vote at a voting station must be cast at the voting station where they are registered.

For approved home visits, the special vote will be conducted at the voter's registered address within their voting district.