In a metro (Joburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni) you get two ballot papers: one for the person you want as your ward councillor, and one for the party you want on the council. In a local municipality (Emfuleni, Midvaal, Lesedi, Mogale City, Rand West City, Merafong) you get a third paper for the district council. Half the council seats come from the ward votes and half from the party votes, so the council ends up roughly matching how people voted.

How the mayor is chosen

Voters do not elect the mayor directly. At a council's first sitting after the election, councillors first elect a Speaker and then elect the Mayor (executive mayor in mayoral-executive municipalities) from among themselves by majority vote (Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998). Where no party wins an outright majority - a 'hung' council - parties must negotiate coalitions to assemble the majority needed to elect the mayor and pass budgets. Fragile coalitions have caused repeated changes of mayor in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Mogale City since 2016.

Can't vote on 4 November? Apply for a special vote.

Applications open 21 September and close 12 October 2026. Special votes are cast on 2 and 3 November 2026, at your voting station or by home visit if you cannot get there.

Can't attend on election day? Check IEC eligibility. Station voting and home visits have different requirements. SMS your ID to 32249 (R1.50) for station applications.

Find your ward and voting station on the IEC site Check your registration IEC results dashboard

IEC help: WhatsApp 'Hi' to 0600 88 0000; SMS your ID to 32810 for registration status (R1) or to 32245 for your ward councillor (R1); Call Centre 0800 11 8000