This weekend, 1 and 2 August, is your last chance to register or update your details ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Western Cape Independent Electoral Commission says all 1,623 registration stations across the Western Cape will be open from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The IEC says it’s ready for the final registration push. Eligible voters are asked to bring along their Green ID book or Smart ID or temporary ID certificate.

The Voters’ Roll closes on the official Proclamation of the election in the Government Gazette, which also means no further registration or re-registration is allowed thereafter.

The Chief Electoral Officer for the Province, Michael Hendrickse, expects the proclamation will happen soon, within the next week.

On Tuesday, 4 August, it will be exactly 90 days before the polls.

The Western Cape currently has 3 407 683 registered voters. Since the last registration weekend, there have been 122 110 registration transactions in the Western Cape, of which 75% were done through the online voter registration portal.

“The IEC is pleased with the consistent registration pattern shown by citizens. It speaks to a willingness to make a difference through the ballot.”

Hendrickse says it’s all systems go for this weekend.

“Our Voting Management Devices (VMDs) are charged with a battery life of 72 hours. In addition, these devices work and can capture information in off-line mode even if, for some reason, there is no network coverage. These devices are central to a modern voter registration operation, enabling real-time citizenship verification, accurate capture of voter details and seamless integration with the voters’ roll.”

During the previous registration weekend, five voting stations in outlying rural areas were inaccessible due to storm damage. IEC officials have since made the necessary arrangements and have completed registrations in these communities.

The IEC says it’s important to note that if a voter has moved or changed addresses since they first registered, they should update their details.

This is of special importance because, unlike the National and Provincial Elections, for Local Government Elections a voter can only vote at the voting station in the voting district where they are registered.

Hendrickse says they will also continue working with the police, local law enforcement and CPFs to safeguard voters and staff, in areas where violence is rife.

For those who are unable to visit a registration station this weekend, they can do so online 24/7 on elections.org.za until the Proclamation of the Elections.

To check if you are registered:

• SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS)
• Go to your local IEC office from Monday to Friday during office hours
• Go to the IEC website and follow the link “Am I registered to vote?’
• Check the Voters’ Roll at the voting station where you are registered to vote during the voter registration weekend
• Call Toll-free from a landline to the call centre 0800 11 8000