#MunicipalElections2026: Special voter registration now open
Voters have until October to register for their special votes if they won't be at their normal voting station on the day, or are not physically able to attend.
Residents who need to register for special voting have until October 12 at 17:00 to submit their applications.
These include home visit special votes for persons who are unable to present themselves physically at a voting station and voters who are physically able to vote but can’t vote at their voting station on voting day, such as essential service workers and the media.
National spokesperson and CCO for the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Kate Bapela, said special votes are meant to ensure access to the vote by persons who would otherwise not be able to participate in elections on November 4.
There are two broad categories of special votes
The first are home visit special votes, for persons who are unable to present physically at a voting station owing to physical condition. This category of voters, if approved, are visited at a place of confinement which must be in a voting district in which the voter is registered.
The second category of special votes relates to voters who can present physically at their voting station but cannot vote at their voting station on voting day. This category of voters will, if approved, vote at their voting station on the two days preceding election day.
She said the Electoral Commission advises voters who may be away from their voting districts on November 4, including those working in essential services and the media, that they qualify to apply for a special vote.
How to Apply
Applications can be made as follows:
• Via the website
• SMS your identity number to 32249 (R1 per SMS for special vote at a voting station only)
• Visit your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices) and submit a Special Vote Application form. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted), but someone else can deliver your completed form on your behalf
It’s important to remind eligible voters that they may cast their special vote at the voting station where they are registered. In cases where a home visit has been approved, the special vote will be conducted at the voter’s registered address within the voting district.
