Special voting starts on 2 November: check your approval and where to vote

Approved special voters can cast their ballots on Monday, 2 November or Tuesday, 3 November 2026, ahead of the municipal elections on 4 November. Check the IEC’s approval and whether it provides for a home visit or a vote at your registered station.

Special voting runs from 08:00 to 17:00, according to the IEC guidance carried by SAnews on 26 October. Those hours differ from the longer ordinary election-day session.

In its 14 October readiness update, the Commission reported 2,655,067 approved applications, including 678,525 home visits. These were approvals reported on that date, with manual application capture still being finalised.

Check the approval before making the trip

The application period closed at 17:00 on 12 October. Registration on the voters’ roll and approval for a special vote are separate checks; the two early days are for approved applicants.

The IEC’s special-vote guidance says applicants receive their outcome by SMS and can also check their application status online. Resolve an unclear response with the Commission before relying on an early-voting arrangement.

Home visits and station votes are different arrangements

The IEC’s 2026 application notice provides home visits for approved voters whose physical condition prevents them from reaching a station. The visit must be within the voting district where the person is registered.

Station-based special voting covers approved voters who can reach their station but cannot vote there on 4 November, including qualifying essential-services workers and media personnel. They vote at the station where they are registered.

For a home visit, check the address recorded in your application. If it is wrong, your circumstances have changed or an approved arrangement fails, contact the IEC or your local electoral office for guidance.

Access to help must preserve your choice

Section 19 of the Constitution protects citizens’ political choices and adult citizens’ right to vote in secret. A home visit does not remove that protection.

The IEC explains the special-vote safeguards: the marked ballot goes into an unmarked envelope, which is sealed inside another bearing the voter’s details. The outer envelope is discarded before counting to preserve ballot secrecy.

Under section 48 of the Municipal Electoral Act, a voter requiring help because of physical disability may request a companion. The presiding officer must be satisfied that the helper is at least 18 and is neither an agent nor a candidate. Secrecy must be preserved as far as possible.

The ordinary voting day is 4 November

Ordinary voting takes place on Wednesday, 4 November, from 07:00 to 21:00. The IEC’s municipal-election reminder says voters must use the station where they are registered.

For help confirming registration or a special-vote query, contact the IEC on 0800 11 8000. Keep your acceptable identity document ready for your station visit or approved home visit.