Can’t vote on November 4? Here is how to register for a Special Vote
Your special vote must take place within the specific voting district where you are officially registered.
Applications for special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections officially opened on September 21, 2026, in line with the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) official timetable.
Eligible citizens who cannot physically cast their ballots on Election Day, November 4, 2026, have until Monday, October 12 at 17:00 to submit their applications.
Special votes exist to ensure that every eligible South African can participate in the elections, regardless of physical disability, age, or work commitments.
Who Qualifies for a Special Vote?
Special votes are divided into two main categories:
- Home Visit Special Votes:
- Target audience: Voters who are physically unable to travel to a voting station due to advanced age, severe illness, or physical disability.
- How it works: Once approved, IEC officials will visit the voter’s home or place of confinement to conduct the vote.
- Rule: The home visit must take place at an address located strictly within the voting district where the voter is registered.
- Voting Station Special Votes:
- Target audience: Voters who can travel to a voting station but cannot vote on November 4 (e.g., essential services workers, healthcare staff, media personnel, shift workers, or citizens traveling outside their voting districts).
- How it works: Approved voters will cast their ballots at their registered voting station during the two days preceding Election Day.
How to Apply (3 Options)
Eligible voters can submit their special vote applications through one of three official channels:
- Online: Complete the digital application form on the official IEC portal at www.elections.org.za.
- SMS: Text your 13-digit South African ID number to 32249 (charged at R1.00 per SMS). Please note: The SMS application method is valid strictly for voting station special votes, not home visits.
- In-Person / Proxy: Hand-deliver a completed Special Vote Application form to your local municipal IEC office (not national or provincial offices). While email and fax submissions are not accepted, a family member, caregiver, or representative may deliver the physical form on your behalf.
Crucial Reminder: Whether you vote at a voting station or receive a home visit, your special vote must take place within the specific voting district where you are officially registered.
