Can you vote online on 4 November? No. Here's what you can do online
There's no online voting in the 4 November 2026 local elections. You vote in person at your registered station, 7am to 9pm. Here's what you can still check online.
No. You can't vote online in Wednesday's local government elections. Every vote on 4 November is cast in person, on a paper ballot, at the voting station where you are registered (Highway Mail). The Electoral Commission (https://www.elections.org.za/content/About-Us/News/Electoral-Commission-updates-the-nation-on-preparations-and-developments-ahead-of-LGE-2026-27/) has said plainly that e-voting is not intended for these municipal elections (IEC).
Why is there no online voting?
The IEC is still studying electronic voting. A conference on e-voting found it would need secure servers, stable power and reliable internet across the country (Jacaranda FM News). Public consultations since then backed a cautious, pilot-based approach, with machines at voting stations rather than voting from home, and a new law first (IEC). A revised policy paper still has to go to Parliament (IEC).
What can I do online before Wednesday?
You can check your registration and find your station, but the voters' roll is already closed, so you can't register or change your address now.
| What you want | How | Online? |
|---|---|---|
| Check you're registered | IEC website elections.org.za or dial 120432# | Yes |
| Find your voting station | IEC website elections.org.za | Yes |
| Register or move address | Closed when the election was proclaimed | No |
| Cast your vote | In person, 7am to 9pm on 4 November | No |
Sources: Highway Mail, IEC, IEC announcement.
Online registration did play a big part this year: 12% of registrations came through the online portal, against 10% at IEC offices (IEC). That may be why many people assume voting moved online too.
What do I need to bring on 4 November?
A green barcoded ID book, a smart ID card or a temporary ID certificate. Stations are open from 7am to 9pm (Highway Mail). Most voters get up to three ballots: ward, proportional representation, and district if you live outside a metro (Highway Mail).
Someone sent me a link to vote online. Is it real?
No official online voting exists for this election (IEC), so any link offering it is not from the IEC. Don't enter your ID number or banking details. The IEC works with digital platforms to remove false election information, and you can report it at Real411.
FAQ
Can I vote online in South Africa?
No. In the 4 November 2026 local elections you vote in person at the voting station where you are registered.
Can I still register to vote online?
No. The voters' roll closed when the election was proclaimed. You can still check your registration on elections.org.za or by dialling 120432#.
What ID do I need to vote?
A green barcoded ID book, a smart ID card or a temporary ID certificate.