Special votes closed for 4 November local elections: what approved voters do on 2 and 3 November

Special votes closed for 4 November local elections: what approved voters do on 2 and 3 November

Special vote applications for the 2026 Local Government Elections closed at 17:00 on Monday 12 October 2026, so no new applications can be accepted. Approved special votes will be cast on 2 and 3 November, and election day for everyone else is Wednesday 4 November 2026.

With election court and election contest searches trending on 19 October, the useful question is not a court headline — it is whether your own registration and, if you applied, your special vote are in order. Here is the IEC's timetable.

What are the key election dates?

The Electoral Commission (IEC) said applications opened on 21 September 2026 for voters who would otherwise not be able to vote on 4 November, including home visits for voters unable to travel due to illness, disability or infirmity. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo called special votes an important mechanism for voters unable to vote under ordinary circumstances on election day.

IEC timetable reporting puts voting stations open 07:00 to 21:00 on 4 November, with special voting station and home visits on 2 and 3 November.

I applied for a special vote — what now?

Do not assume approval. Check your application status through the IEC website or your local IEC office, and confirm whether you were approved for a voting-station special vote or a home visit. Keep your ID ready for the visit or station. If your application was not approved, plan to vote in person on 4 November at your registered station.

I missed the special vote deadline — can I still vote?

Yes, if you are registered. Missing the special vote deadline only closes the early and home-visit route. You vote on election day, 4 November, at the voting station where you are registered. You cannot submit a late special vote application — the IEC said once the window closes, no further applications can be accepted under the Election Timetable.

What should every voter check this week?

• Registration and station: confirm on elections.org.za that you are registered and note the exact station — you must vote where you are registered.
• ID: ensure you have a valid South African ID document or card for voting day.
• Time: plan for 07:00-21:00 on 4 November and expect queues at peak hours.
• Special vote status: if you applied before 12 October, verify approval and whether it is 2 or 3 November, station or home visit.

If an election court case changes a candidate list or a ward detail that affects you, the IEC — not social media posts — is the source to confirm your ballot and station.