The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has opened applications for special votes ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, giving qualifying voters who may be unable to vote on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballots earlier.
Also see: Reason why young South Africans should vote
Applications opened on 21 September 2026 and will close at 17:00 on Monday, 12 October 2026. The local government elections are scheduled to take place on 4 November 2026.
Special votes are intended for registered voters who, because of their circumstances, may not be able to participate at their voting station on Election Day.
Special Vote applications are open! 🗳️
Registered voters who cannot be at their voting station on 4 November may apply for a Special Vote to cast their ballot ahead of election day.
Applications close on 12 October.
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 25, 2026
Who can apply for a special vote?
The IEC has outlined two broad categories of special votes.
The first is a home-visit special vote for people who can’t physically travel to a voting station because of their physical condition. If approved, an election official will visit the voter at their place of confinement. The address must fall within the voting district where the person is registered.
The second category is for voters who are physically able to reach a voting station but will not be able to vote there on 4 November. If approved, these voters will cast their ballots at their registered voting station during the two days before Election Day, on 2 or 3 November.
The IEC has specifically highlighted people who will be away from their voting districts because of qualifying commitments, including essential service workers and members of the media.
Also see: South Africa’s November local elections: Observers share key insights
How to apply
Eligible voters have several options for submitting their applications.
Applications can be completed through the IEC website. Voters applying for a voting-station special vote can also send their identity number by SMS to 32249 at a cost of R1 per SMS.
Alternatively, voters can visit their local IEC office and submit a Special Vote Application form. The IEC says these forms must be hand-delivered and cannot be submitted by email or fax. Another person may deliver a completed form on behalf of the applicant.
The IEC has reminded voters that a voting station special vote must be cast at the voting station where the voter is registered. Where a home visit has been approved, the vote will take place at the voter’s registered address within the relevant voting district.
Important deadline for voters
With the application deadline approaching, qualifying voters are encouraged to submit their applications before 17:00 on 12 October 2026.
Successful special vote applicants will cast their ballots on 2 and 3 November, ahead of the main election on 4 November 2026.
Voters who believe they may be unable to reach their registered voting station on Election Day should check the IEC’s requirements and apply within the prescribed period.
🗳️ SPECIAL VOTE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
A special vote allows a registered voter to cast their ballot before Election Day.
Registered voters:
-Living with Disability
-Pregnant Women
-Elderly People
-Work-related commitmentsApply via: https://t.co/DIHlGe27X3#LGE2026 pic.twitter.com/jDJcshpPHN
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) September 21, 2026
Also see: Extra public holiday in November: What South Africans need to know
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