By Palesa Matlala
- Special votes let approved voters cast their ballots one or two days before election day on 4 November 2026.
- Voters who are disabled, sick or heavily pregnant can apply for a home visit to cast their ballot.
South Africans who cannot get to their voting station on election day have another option. The Electoral Commission of South Africa says eligible voters can apply for a special vote ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
A special vote allows an approved voter to cast their ballot one or two days before election day. Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse said voters must apply during the official application period and meet the requirements to qualify.
Voters who are disabled, sick or heavily pregnant and cannot reach a voting station may also qualify for a home visit.
“The other category of special votes are those persons who are infirm or disabled or highly pregnant, and they cannot get to the station,” Hendrickse said. “Only those people we will visit at their homes in order to allow them to cast their vote, but they need to also apply.”
Not everyone will qualify. Hendrickse said voters who are in hospital outside their voting district cannot be accommodated.
The IEC is urging all South Africans to register or update their details before the voters’ roll closes. The first registration weekend takes place on 20 and 21 June 2026. Voters can also register online via the IEC website.
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo has urged eligible voters to use the registration weekend to make sure their details are up to date. Voters must be registered in the voting district where they live.
Pictured above: IEC officials help voters during an election registration drive.
Image source: Electoral Commission of South Africa
