South Africa’s local government elections take place on 4 November 2026. Local elections differ from national elections in one important respect: you vote where you live, in your ward, and your registration must reflect your current address.
Why your ward matters in a local election
In a national election your vote counts the same wherever you cast it. In a local election you are electing a ward councillor for a specific area, and voting on the council that governs your municipality. If you are registered at an old address, you will be voting for someone else’s councillor and someone else’s council.
Ward boundaries have changed
The Municipal Demarcation Board completed a ward delimitation process ahead of these elections. Ward boundaries in many municipalities differ from those used in 2021. You may be in a different ward even if you have not moved.
What to check
- That you are registered at all.
- That you are registered at your current address, not a previous one.
- Which voting district and voting station that address falls into.
The Electoral Commission provides an online registration check and publishes registration weekend dates. Registration is also possible at your local IEC office during working hours.
What you will be voting for
In a metropolitan municipality you receive two ballots: one for your ward councillor and one for a party. In a local municipality inside a district you receive three, the third being for the district council. The seat allocation explainer sets out how those votes translate into a council.
Know what you are voting on
Every municipality profile on this site records the current council composition, the governing party or coalition, the mayor, and the municipality’s audited financial position. That is the record of the term now ending.
Figures on this page come from National Treasury, Statistics South Africa and the Auditor-General, as set out in the sources and methodology. Read the methodology