---
title: "LIVE | South Africa votes in the 2026 local government election"
description: "South Africans are choosing the councillors who will run their municipalities for the next five years, and who will decide on water, electricity, roads, refuse collection and rates. Follow our live coverage from voting stations across the country as the count begins."
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/2026-11-04-local-elections-2026-live-blog/"
published: "2026-11-04T01:00:00"
updated: "2026-11-04T08:59:26"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 1310
---

# LIVE | South Africa votes in the 2026 local government election

> South Africans are choosing the councillors who will run their municipalities for the next five years, and who will decide on water, electricity, roads, refuse collection and rates. Follow our live coverage from voting stations across the country as the count begins.

By Daily Maverick · Published 4 November 2026, 03:00 SAST · Updated 4 November 2026, 10:59 SAST

## Content

> **Voting today? Start here**
> Polls are open from 7am to 9pm. If you are in the queue before 9pm, you will be allowed to vote.
>
> **Watch:**[**Voting 101 with Rebecca Davis**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/video/2026-10-30-watch-voting-101-with-rebecca-davis/)
> Where and when to vote, which IDs are accepted, what each ballot is for and how votes become council seats.
>
> [**Your guide to ballots, wards and candidates**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-03-local-government-elections-2026/)
> Find your ward and voting station, check who your councillor is and see who is running for mayor in each metro.
>
> [**‘Who do I vote for?’ Your questions answered**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-19-who-do-i-vote-for-reader-questions-answered-on-coalitions-councils-and-voting/)
> Ferial Haffajee answers readers on coalitions, councillors’ powers and the voters’ roll.
>
> [**What happens after the vote?**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-01-what-happens-after-the-vote-councils-coalitions-and-maybe-controversies/)
> Marianne Merten on the count, the declaration of results and the 14-day race to form councils and coalitions.
>
> Find your voting station on the IEC Voting Station Finder or call the IEC on 0800 11 8000.

*[Live blog — follow updates on the original page](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-04-local-elections-2026-live-blog/)*