Is 4 November 2026 a Public Holiday? Local Government Elections Guide

By SA Gov Info

Local government elections choose the councillors who run your municipality, metro or district. This page explains the public holiday, how voting works on the day, and what the holiday means for workers, schools and SASSA grants.

4 November 2026 at a Glance

Why Is 4 November a Public Holiday?

Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act allows the President to declare an election day a public holiday. This gives people time to travel to their voting stations and vote.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs proclaimed 4 November 2026 as election day in August 2026, and the President later declared it a public holiday. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has also said the holiday helps limit disruption to Grade 12 learners, who are writing their final exams at the same time.

The 2026 elections add an extra public holiday to the year. For the full list of other holidays, see our South Africa public holidays 2026 and public holidays 2027 calendars.

How to Check Where You Are Registered to Vote

Voter registration for these elections is closed, so you can only vote if you are already on the voters’ roll. Check your details before 4 November:

1. Online: Go to the IEC website at elections.org.za and enter your 13-digit ID number. It shows whether you are registered, your voting station and your ward.
2. SMS: Send your ID number by SMS to 32810. Standard SMS rates may apply.
3. Check your ward councillor: The IEC website also lets you see who your ward councillor is.

If you moved after you registered and did not update your address, you still have to vote at the station where you are registered.

What ID Do You Need to Vote?

You must take one of these documents to the voting station:

• a smart ID card,
• a green barcoded ID book, or
• a valid temporary identity certificate.

A driving licence, passport or a photo of your ID on your phone is not accepted. If you have lost your ID, apply for a temporary identity certificate at Home Affairs as soon as possible. See our guide to applying for a South African ID.

How Voting Works on Election Day

1. Go to the voting station where you are registered between 07:00 and 21:00.
2. Officials check your ID against the voters’ roll.
3. Your thumb is marked with ink so you cannot vote twice.
4. You receive your ballot papers and vote in a private booth.
5. Fold your ballot papers and place them in the ballot boxes.

If you are in the queue at 21:00, you will still be allowed to vote.

How many ballots will you get?

The number of ballots depends on where you live:

Special Votes on 2 and 3 November

Special votes allow some voters to vote before election day. They are meant for people who cannot get to their voting station on 4 November, for example because of illness, disability, pregnancy or because they work on election day, such as election officials and security staff.

Special votes are cast on 2 and 3 November 2026. You must have applied and been approved before the deadline set by the IEC. You can check the status of your special vote application on the IEC website.

Do You Have to Work on 4 November?

Election day is a public holiday, so the normal public holiday rules in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply:

• Work on a public holiday is by agreement between you and your employer.
• If you do not work, you must be paid your normal wage for the day if it would normally be a working day for you.
• If you do work on a public holiday that would normally be a working day, you must be paid at least double your normal daily wage, or your normal wage plus the amount you earn for the time worked, whichever is more.
• If the public holiday is not one of your normal working days and you work, you must be paid at least your normal daily wage plus what you earn for the time worked.

If you have to work on election day, speak to your employer early about time to vote, or apply for a special vote in future elections. If you are not paid correctly for the public holiday, you can contact the Department of Employment and Labour. See also our page on the national minimum wage.

Are Schools Open on 4 November 2026?

Public schools are closed for normal teaching because it is a public holiday, and many schools are also used as voting stations. Grade 12 learners writing the National Senior Certificate exams should follow the official exam timetable and the instructions from their school.

Are SASSA Grants Paid on 4 November?

No. Because of the elections, SASSA moved the November grant dates. Older Persons Grants are paid early on 30 October, Disability Grants on 2 November, Children’s Grants on 3 November and grants under review on 5 November 2026. See our SASSA payment dates for November 2026 for details.

Are Banks, Shops and Government Offices Open?

Government offices, including Home Affairs, SASSA and licensing centres, are closed on public holidays. Banks usually follow public holiday hours, and shops decide their own trading hours. Check with your bank or store before you travel.

Local Election Day Questions

Is 4 November 2026 a public holiday in South Africa?

Yes. The President declared Wednesday, 4 November 2026 a public holiday for the local government elections.

What time do voting stations open and close?

Voting stations are open from 07:00 to 21:00 on 4 November 2026.

Can I vote at any voting station?

No. You can only vote at the voting station where you are registered.

Can I still register to vote for the 2026 local elections?

No. Registration for these elections has closed. You can register for future elections through the IEC.

Can I vote with my driving licence?

No. You need a smart ID card, a green barcoded ID book or a valid temporary identity certificate.

Do I get paid for the election day public holiday?

If 4 November is one of your normal working days and you do not work, you must be paid your normal wage. If you work on that day, you must be paid at least double.