Joburg Election Ready

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Everything you need for voting day.

Skimmable. Screenshot-friendly. Bring this with you.

What to bring

You must bring ONE of:

  • Green bar-coded ID book
  • Smart ID card
  • Valid Temporary ID Certificate (TIC)
NOT accepted: driver's licences, passports, student cards, or expired IDs. You will be turned away.

Voting hours

Voting stations are open 07:00 – 21:00 on 4 November 2026. If you are inside the queue by 21:00, you are allowed to vote — stay put.

ⓘ Confirmed when the election is proclaimed

The two ballots

In Joburg, you get two ballots:

Ballot 1

Ward councillor

You vote for a person — the councillor who represents your street, your streetlights, your potholes, your water. Only people who live in your ward appear on this ballot.

Ballot 2

Proportional representation

You vote for a party. Parties get council seats in proportion to their share of the vote — this sets the balance of power in the metro.

Both ballots together decide who runs your city — water, roads, electricity, refuse, housing. They matter equally.

Can't vote on the day? Special votes

If you're working, sick, disabled, elderly, pregnant, or away from your voting district on 4 November, you may qualify for a special vote — either at your station the day before, or via a home visit.

Application dates and forms are published by the IEC once the election is officially proclaimed.

IEC special-vote info →

Accessibility at stations

Voting stations are required to be accessible — including ramp access, lower-level ballot booths, and Braille templates for the visually impaired. Assistance from a companion or the presiding officer is allowed. If a station is not accessible, contact IEC support immediately.

Call 0800 11 8000

If your name isn't on the roll

If the presiding officer says you're not on the roll at that station, ask them to check the "certified segment" of the voters' roll. If you're registered elsewhere, you'll be told which station — you may not vote at the wrong one. There is no exception in municipal elections.

Your voting plan

Voters with a plan actually vote. Field studies show it lifts turnout by ~4 points on average — and up to 9 points if you live alone.

What time?

How will you get there?

Bringing someone with? (optional, stays on your device)

Voting station (optional — paste from the IEC finder)