--- title: "Navigating ballots, candidates, and wards: Your guide to the 2026 local government elections" description: "The countdown to the 2026 local government elections is on. Still unsure about how voting works, who is contesting your ward or what will be on your ballot? This guide has you covered." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026" author: "Daily Maverick" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-01-local-government-elections-2026/" published: "2026-10-01T15:50:30" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 1338 --- # Navigating ballots, candidates, and wards: Your guide to the 2026 local government elections > The countdown to the 2026 local government elections is on. Still unsure about how voting works, who is contesting your ward or what will be on your ballot? This guide has you covered. By Daily Maverick · Published 1 October 2026, 17:50 SAST ## Key points - South Africans vote on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, with stations open from 7am to 9pm. - Know your ballot: metros get ward and party votes, while voters elsewhere may also choose a district council. - Check your registered ward and voting station before election day – and apply for a special vote by 12 October if eligible. - From Johannesburg to Cape Town, meet the mayoral hopefuls and learn what to look for in the councillor who will represent your community. ## Content Find out who’s running in your ward, how to find your ward, what will be on your ballot and what you need to know before you vote in the 2026 local government elections. Want to know who is running to lead each metro? You’ll find that here too. ### When is the 2026 local government election day? South Africans will go to the polls in the local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. It is declared a public holiday, and voting stations will open from 7am to 9pm. ### What are we voting for? South Africa has three spheres of government. 1. National government makes laws and sets policy for the whole country. 2. Provinces run services such as schools, hospitals and clinics. 3. Local government runs your municipality and delivers local services, which can include water and sanitation, electricity, local roads and waste collection. Who provides what depends on where you live: some households buy electricity directly from Eskom, and outside the metros water is often run by the district municipality. In the local government elections, you’re choosing who will run your municipality for the next five years. ### Where can I vote? You need to vote at the voting station serving the voting district in which you are registered to vote. You can find your [voting station here.](https://maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder/) You can check your voter registration status[here](https://registertovote.elections.org.za/voter-online-registration/overview). You can also SMS your ID number to 32810. All SMSes are charged at R1. Contact the call centre at 0800 11 8000. ### Can I vote if I’m in another town or province on election day? You can only vote in person at the voting station where you are registered. Unlike national elections, municipal elections require physical residency within a local ward. You may, however, [apply for a special vote](https://registertovote.elections.org.za/voter/specialvotes/application/submit) if you are in another place on voting day. ### Who qualifies for a special vote? According to the Electoral Commission of SA’s (IEC’s) [criteria](https://www.elections.org.za/pw/SpecialVotes/About-Special-Vote), people who are infirm, disabled or pregnant can request a home visit. Those who simply cannot make it to their voting station on election day vote at their station on the special voting days. Special voting usually takes place on two predetermined days before election day at your designated voting station. Monday, 2 November 2026, and Tuesday, 3 November 2026 (from 8am to 5pm). Applications for special votes are now open and will close on Monday 12 October at 5pm. Applications can be [submitted online here](https://registertovote.elections.org.za/voter/specialvotes/application/submit) or by SMSing your ID number to 32249 (R1 per SMS). ### How does the ballot system work? If you live in a metro, you will get [two ballots.](https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Documents/Outreach/Factsheets/Municipal/IEC%20Municipal%20Elections%20Factsheet.pdf) One for a ward councillor to represent your area and one for a party, which fills the rest of the council’s seats. If you live outside a metro, you may also get a third ballot for your district council. Once the new council is elected, councillors vote for a mayor and a speaker. If no party has a majority, parties must form a coalition to elect them. 1. **Ward councillor:** You vote for a person to represent your ward on local issues. Candidates can belong to a party or stand as independents. 2. **PR (proportional representation) councillor:** You vote for a party, not a person. PR councillors don’t represent a specific area. Parties fill these seats from their lists, and seats are shared out so that each party’s total number of councillors roughly reflects its share of the vote. 3. **District council (outside metros only):** A second party ballot, this time for your district municipality, which runs some services across several local municipalities. ### How to find your ward number To find your ward, check where you are registered to vote on the [IEC website](https://registertovote.elections.org.za/voter-online-registration/overview) using your ID number. This will show your ward and voting station for election day. You can also use the [IEC’s Voting Station Finder](https://maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder/). Type in your address and your voting station details will pop up along with your ward number. If the ward shown for your address is different from the one where you are registered, you must vote at your registered voting station. The voters’ roll closed on 7 August 2026. ### Who is my ward councillor? To find your current ward councillor, use the [IEC’s Who Is My Ward Councillor tool here](https://www.elections.org.za/pw/voter/Who-Is-My-Ward-Councillor). Enter your ID number and it will show your councillor and their contact details. SMS your ID number to 32245. Each SMS costs R1. The councillor you find now was elected in 2021 and serves until the new council is sworn in after the November elections. You can also use this [ward councillor tool here](https://claude.ai/artifact/QENerFPMo6XTBpfyqfyCfr). Enter your ward number to find your current councillor and their contact details. ### What to look for in a ward councillor A ward councillor serves as a vital bridge in service delivery between the municipal council and the local community. According to [Professor Jaap de Visser](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-31-do-you-know-your-ward-candidates-we-doubt-it-so-heres-a-guide-to-help/), South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Development at the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape, voters should look beyond political ideologies and assess whether individual councillors delivered on their promises, met service delivery demands and didn’t steal from the public purse. De Visser made the comments in a 2021 [Daily Maverick interview](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-31-do-you-know-your-ward-candidates-we-doubt-it-so-heres-a-guide-to-help/), when he was director of the institute. ### Who’s in the running for mayor across SA’s metros? In this election, you’re voting for councillors. Once elected, the councillors choose a mayor to lead the municipality. Here is a list of all mayoral contenders in Johannesburg, Tshwane, eThekwini, Cape Town, and other [metros](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-13-voters-splinter-among-parties-as-support-for-the-anc-plunges/): - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. [Here are the ANC’s possible metro mayoral candidates.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-22-anc-names-42-possible-mayoral-candidates-for-only-eight-metros/) - [DA: Helen Zille](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-21-as-the-anc-selfimmolates-zille-and-mashaba-seize-race-for-joburgs-future/) - [ActionSA: Herman Mashaba](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-21-as-the-anc-selfimmolates-zille-and-mashaba-seize-race-for-joburgs-future/) - [PA: Kenny Kunene](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-07-30-city-of-chaos-and-the-fight-for-jozis-mayoral-chain/) - IFP: Mlungisi Mabaso - [EFF: Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-16-fresh-face-bold-policies-eff-s-dr-tlaleng-mofokeng-outlines-her-vision-for-joburg/) - MK Party: Bongani Baloyi - RISE Mzansi: Lukhona Mnguni - Bosa (Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster), - Al Jama-ah (Shireen Ebrahim), - [Land Party (Ntsiki Mazwai),](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-07-12-mayor-yama2k-ntsiki-mazwai-trades-armchair-criticism-for-a-shot-as-joburg-mayor/) - APC (Mo-Afrika Mandla Mokoena) - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. [Here are the ANC’s possible metro mayoral candidates.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-22-anc-names-42-possible-mayoral-candidates-for-only-eight-metros/) - [DA: Cilliers Brink](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-23-ex-tshwane-mayor-cilliers-brink-seeks-second-chance-to-finish-what-we-started/) - ActionSA: Dr Nasiphi Moya - EFF: Omphile Maotwe - MK Party: Nkele Annie Matime - IFP: Douglas Ziyanda Zwane - FF+: Willie Spies - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate.[The ANC’s list of potential candidates](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-13-voters-splinter-among-parties-as-support-for-the-anc-plunges/) includes incumbent mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Ekurhuleni’s finance and strategy member of the mayoral committee Jongizizwe Dlabathi, Ekurhuleni council whip Pelisa Nkunjana and Ntombi Mekgwe. - DA: Khathutshelo Rasilingwane - MK Party: Thulani Shongwe - ActionSA: Xolani Khumalo - EFF: Nthabiseng Tshivhenga - IFP: Desmond Mchunu - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. [Here are the ANC’s possible metro mayoral candidates.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-22-anc-names-42-possible-mayoral-candidates-for-only-eight-metros/) - ActionSA: [Zwakele Mncwango](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-07-meet-the-candidates-ethekwini/) - DA: Haniff Hoosen - EFF: Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi - IFP: Mkhuleko Hlengwa - MK Party: [Zuma swapped the MK Party’s eThekwini mayoral candidate on 10 September,](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-10-zuma-swaps-mk-partys-ethekwini-mayoral-candidate-as-party-list-probe-deepens/) replacing Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi with Apostle Mxolisi Phakathi. [READ MORE Meet the candidates: eThekwini September 7, 2026 ![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/BD2jRxcTYM0_fjEdR1sABJntjzk=/450x0/smart/file/attachments/orphans/BhekieThekwinimunicipality_314702.jpg)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-07-meet-the-candidates-ethekwini/) - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. [Here are the ANC’s possible metro mayoral candidates.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-22-anc-names-42-possible-mayoral-candidates-for-only-eight-metros/) - DA: Geordin Hill-Lewis - ActionSA: Dereleen James - PA: Cheslyn Daniels - EFF: Nontando Nolutshungu - Good + Rise Mzansi: Brett Herron runs for both parties together - Bosa: Roger Solomons [READ MORE From ActionSA to MK, the curious candidates of the local elections September 10, 2026 ![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/q83e90ZioRJxzuuOsP8QNBUjkVE=/450x0/smart/file/attachments/orphans/parties-candidates-curious2_331116.jpg)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-10-from-actionsa-to-mk-the-curious-candidates-of-the-local-elections/) - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. [Here are the ANC’s possible metro mayoral candidates.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-22-anc-names-42-possible-mayoral-candidates-for-only-eight-metros/) - DA: Retief Odendaal - EFF: Sinawo Thambo - MK Party: Mvuleni Mapu - The ANC [will not appear on Mangaung's party ballot after an Electoral Court ruling](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-16-anc-vows-to-exercise-legal-rights-after-losing-bid-to-reinstate-181-poll-candidates/), which limits its chances of electing a mayor. - DA: Werner Pretorius - MK Party: Mapaseka Mothibi - EFF: Sam Matiase - The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. [The ANC has offered incumbent mayor Princess Faku](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-13-voters-splinter-among-parties-as-support-for-the-anc-plunges/), former deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, Simphiwe Dzengwa and Ncedo Kumbaca as its potential candidates. - EFF: Mkhululi (Leonard) Dlevu - DA: [The DA has announced ward candidates, but it has not selected a mayoral candidate.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-13-voters-splinter-among-parties-as-support-for-the-anc-plunges/) - MK Party: Mzwandile Vaaiboom - UDM: Nqabayomzi Kwankwa If you have any additional questions or topics you’d like us to cover, you can share them below and make sure you’re subscribed to the [Democracy newsletter here.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/newsletters/?action=subscribe&newsletter=democracy-26&utm_source=democracy-26&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=referral)**DM** [Media on Daily Maverick: "Elections 2026"](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-01-local-government-elections-2026/)