Local Government Elections on 4 November: Key Dates, Rules and How to Check You Can Vote

Local Government Elections on 4 November: Key Dates, Rules and How to Check You Can Vote

South Africa’s local government elections take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, and will decide who runs municipalities, including big metros like Johannesburg where service delivery and water shortages are major concerns. The date was chosen to avoid the festive season and the January back-to-school period. You can only vote at the voting station where you are registered, and the IEC has said no new registrations or changes to registration details will be accepted once the roll closes, so check your status on the IEC website now rather than on the day. Take your valid ID, go early to avoid queues, and use the table below for the key facts.