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Frequently Asked Questions: For voters

Can I vote...

Frequently asked questions related to who is allowed to vote

Q: Can I vote if I can't get to my voting station on Election Day because I'm heavily pregnant?
A: If you can't get to your voting station on Election Day for National and Provincial elections because you're heavily pregnant, you can apply for a special vote. Please see special votes for details.
Q: Can I vote if I registered but am now in prison?
A: Yes, you can vote in national and provincial elections as long as you have your valid, green, bar-coded ID and you are registered to vote. Check your voter registration status online to confirm that your name appears on the voters' roll.
Q: Can I vote if I registered but have lost my ID with the sticker in it?
A: Yes, just get a Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) that will be valid on election day. You can apply for your TIC at the Department of Home Affairs. Please also check your registration details and confirm that your name appears on the voters' roll (check your voter registration status online). You can re-register if necessary, as you must be on the voters' roll to vote (see How do I register? for details).
Q: Can I vote if I turn 18 soon AFTER election day?
A: No, you must have turned 18 on or before the day on which the elections are proclaimed (published in the Government Gazette) to be able to vote. No exceptions can be made.
Q: Can I vote if I will be in another town or province on election day?
A: National and Provincial Elections:
You need to vote at the voting station where you're registered to vote. However, if you're outside of your voting district on Election Day you may vote at another voting station in South Africa. If you're outside the province where you registered, you'll only be able to vote in the national election and not the provincial election, and you'll be asked to complete a VEC 4 form at the voting station.
Municipal Elections and By-Elections:
You need to vote at the voting station at which you're registered.

Please remember that you must be a registered voter in South Africa in order to vote. To confirm that your name is on the voters' roll and to find out which voting station you're registered at, please check your voter registration status on line or SMS your ID number to 32810. To locate your voting station on a map, please see our online voting station finder.
Q: Can I vote if I will be out of the country on Election Day?
A: If you are a South African citizen and are registered to vote, but will be out of the country on Election Day, please see special votes for details on how to apply for a special vote (national and provincial elections only).
Q: Can I vote if I will be out of the country on government service on Election Day?
A: If you can't vote at your voting station on Election Day for National and Provincial elections because you'll be out of the country on government service, you can apply for a special vote. Please see special votes for details.
Q: Can I vote if I'm a South African citizen but no longer live in SA?
A: If you're a South African citizen and you registered as a voter in SA, you can apply for a special vote for national and provincial elections.  Please see special votes for details on how to apply to vote.
Q: Can I vote if I'm bedridden and unable to go to my voting station on Election Day?
A: If you’re confined to your bed and can't get to your voting station on Election Day for National and Provincial elections, you can apply for a special vote. Please see special votes for details.
Q: Can I vote if I'm in hospital?
A: If you’re bedridden or in hospital and can’t get to your voting station on Election Day for National and Provincial elections, you can apply for a special vote. Please see special votes for details.
Q: Can I vote if I've lost my registration sticker?
A: You will be allowed to vote as long as your name is on the voters' roll. If your name isn't on the voters' roll and you don't have your registration sticker, you have no proof that you've registered and you won't be able to vote. Please check your voter registration status online to make sure your name is on the voters' roll.
Q: Can I vote if my new ID book has not arrived yet?
A: Yes, you can vote if you have a Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) that is valid on Election Day. You can apply for a TIC at the Department of Home Affairs. Please remember, you will only be able to vote if you are a registered voter.
Q: Can I vote on behalf of someone who is unable to get to their voting station?
A: No, every voter must vote in person at the voting station.
Q: Can I vote with my temporary registration certificate (TRC)?
A: No, you can only vote with your South African, green, bar-coded ID or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC). You can apply for a green, bar-coded ID or a valid TIC from the Department of Home Affairs.
Q: Can permanent residents vote in the elections?
A: No, only South African citizens with a green, bar-coded ID book can vote in elections.
Q: I am living overseas and voted in the last national and provincial elections. Can I vote in the municipal elections?
A: The Muncipal Electoral Act does not make provision for overseas voting during municipal elections due to the fact that you can only vote in the ward where you live.

General

Frequently asked questions about voting in general

Q: How does the IEC ensure security and non-intimidation at voting stations?
A: There are police and/or army personnel at every voting station to ensure your safety.
Q: I am blind. Can someone help me at the voting station?
A: You can take anyone who is at least 18 years old and not a party agent with you to the voting station to help you cast your vote. You can also ask the presiding officer at the voting station to help you and/or provide you with a voting aid known as a universal ballot template (UBT).
Q: I have registered, but I don't want to vote. Will anything happen to me if I don't vote?
A: No, voting is not compulsory in SA, however voting is an important civic duty and we encourage all South Africans to participate.
Q: I'm in the SANDF/SAPS and on duty on Election Day. When will I vote?
A: If you’re a member of the SANDF or SAPS and are on duty on Election Day for National and Provincial elections, you can apply for a special vote. Please see special votes for details.
Q: Will election day be a public holiday?
A: This decision is made by The President in consultation with the Minister of Home Affairs, not by the IEC. However, if election day is a public holiday, the election timetable will say so.

Special Votes

Voter registration

Frequently asked questions about registering as a voter

Q: Are posters of political parties allowed in registration stations?
A: No, people are not allowed to place party posters in registration or voting stations.
Q: Can I register at any time before the election?
A: No, the Voters’ Roll for a specific election closes at 5pm on the day of proclamation of the election date (The President's official announcement of the election date). Please see How do I register? for details.
Q: Can I register at my nearest voting station?
A: No, you must register at the voting station (only open for registration during special registration weekends) in your voting district, and this might not be the one closest to your home. To find out where your voting station is, please use the online voting station finder.
Q: Can I re-register after the voters' roll closes?
A: No, once the voters' roll closes (at 5pm on the date of proclamation of the election date), you can't change/update your details for that election. You will have to wait until after the election.
Q: Can I still register if I can't register over the registration weekend?
A: You can register during office hours at the Municipal Electoral Office responsible for the voting district in which you live. Please see How do I register?for details.
Q: Can people wear party colours in the registration station?
A: A Registration Supervisor is the person in charge of a registration station. Neither they nor any other IEC staff can wear any political party colours. One registered party agent is allowed inside each registration station and they may wear their party colours, but they may not talk/canvass in the station. Members of the public can wear anything.
Q: How do I know if I'm registered?
A: Please check your voter registration status on line to find out if you're registered.
Q: How do I register?
A: Please see How do I register? for details.
Q: I am 17 years old now, but will turn 18 around the time when the elections will be held. Will I be able to vote?
A: You must be registered and 18 or older on the day that the election date is proclaimed (announced by the President and gazetted) to be able to vote.
Q: I can't apply for an ID because I don't have a birth certificate, so my right to vote is being denied me. What can I do?
A: You have to go to the Department of Home Affairs or call them on 0800 601 190 to see how they can help you. Unfortunately we can't help you with this issue. You must have a green, bar-coded South African ID book to register as a voter and to vote.
Q: I have my old blue/TBVC ID, drivers' licence or passport. Can I register with it?
A: No, for the purposes of voter registration, only green, bar-coded SA ID books and Temporary Identity Certificates are valid. Please apply for your ID book at Home Affairs.
Q: I have registered, but am moving to a new home. Must I register again?
A: Yes, you must be registered in the voting district where you live. Your voting district may change, even if you only move a short distance. Please go to your municipal electoral office to register in your new voting district. Alternatively, during special registration weekends you can register at your voting station. To find out where your new voting station is, please use our online voting station finder and enter your new address.
Q: I registered for a previous election, do I have to register again?
A: No, you only have to re-register if your address, personal details or voting district has changed. Please check your voter registration status online to see your registration details.
Q: I will be younger than 18 years old on Election Day - should I still register?
A: Yes, you can register as soon as you have your green, bar-coded South African ID book. As soon as there's an election when you'll be at least 18 years old on Election Day, we'll add you to the voters' roll so that you can vote.
Q: My ID book is in my maiden name but my married name appears on the voters' roll. Do I need to re-register?
A: No. We use your ID number and check it against the National Population Register (NPR). We get your name as it's reflected on the NPR (the Department of Home Affairs automatically changes your name when you get married), and that is the name that appears on the Voters' Roll. You can apply to Home Affairs for a new ID reflecting your married name if you want to.
Q: What do I need to bring with me when I register as a voter?
A: Please see How do I register? for info on the requirements.
Q: What proof do I get that I have registered?
A: A receipt is pasted in your ID book.
Q: When and how do I change my details on the voters' roll?
A: You must re-register if your address, personal details or voting district has changed. Please check your voter registration status online to see your registration details. If your details have changed since you last registered, please see How do I register? for details on how to register (the re-registration process is the same as the registration process).
Q: When does the voters' roll open for public inspection?
A: It's open for inspection on a continuous basis at Municipal Electoral Offices during office hours. You can also inspect the voters' roll at your voting station (see voter registration status to find out where your voting station is) during registration weekends to verify your details and re-register if your details have changed.
Q: When is the next registration weekend?
A: Registration weekends are held before National and Provincial or Municipal Elections. The dates of any upcoming registration weekends will be widely advertised and added to our calendar.

Where to vote

You should always vote at the voting station where you're registered, but it is possible to vote elsewhere in a national election.

Q: Can I vote at my nearest voting station?
A: National and Provincial Elections:
You need to vote at the voting station where you're registered to vote. However, if you're outside of your voting district on Election Day you may vote at another voting station in South Africa. If you're outside the province where you registered, you'll only be able to vote in the national election and not the provincial election, and you'll be asked to complete a VEC 4 form at the voting station.
Municipal Elections and By-Elections:
You need to vote at the voting station at which you're registered.

Please remember that you must be a registered voter in South Africa in order to vote. To confirm that your name is on the voters' roll and to find out which voting station you're registered at, please check your voter registration status online or SMS your ID number to 32810. To locate your voting station on a map, please see our online voting station finder.
Q: Can I vote online or by post?
A: No, you must vote in person at your voting station.
Q: How do I know if my voting station has changed?
A: We try to communicate any changes to you, but please check your voter registration status online before each election to confirm that your voting station hasn't changed.
Q: I registered at a temporary registration station. Where do I vote?
A: Voting stations may change from time to time, depending on availability of each voting venue. To find out where your voting station is, please check your voter registration status online. You can then use our online voting station finder to find a map to your voting station.
Q: Where can I vote?
A: National and Provincial Elections:
You need to vote at the voting station where you're registered to vote. However, if you're outside of your voting district on Election Day you may vote at another voting station in South Africa. If you're outside the province where you registered, you'll only be able to vote in the national election and not the provincial election, and you'll be asked to complete a VEC 4 form at the voting station.
Municipal Elections and By-Elections:
You need to vote at the voting station at which you're registered.

Please remember that you must be a registered voter in South Africa in order to vote. To confirm that your name is on the voters' roll and to find out which voting station you're registered at, please check your voter registration status online or SMS your ID number to 32810. To locate your voting station on a map, please see our online voting station finder.
Q: Why has my voting station changed?
A: Your voting station may change from time to time, depending on the availability of the venue and changes in your voting district boundaries. To find out where your voting station is, check your voter registration status online. You can then use our online voting station finder to find a map to your voting station.