The Electoral Commission of South Africa is calling on young people to use the second voter registration weekend to get on the voters’ roll ahead of the 4 November 2026 municipal elections.

Despite the positive turnout at the first national voter registration weekend last month, millions of eligible young South Africans have yet to register, leaving them unable to vote in November’s General Elections of Municipal Councils.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is now urging young people to act ahead of the second registration weekend.

What the first weekend showed

The first national voter registration weekend produced mixed results. The majority of new registrations came from young people, according to the IEC, but later analysis showed that millions of eligible young South Africans remain off the voters’ roll.

The 2026 Voter Participation Survey, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on behalf of the IEC, found a marked drop in political confidence among young people aged 18 to 24. Many feel that their votes do not lead to immediate change, pointing to high youth unemployment, service delivery backlogs, and economic exclusion.

An RCL president who took part in an IEC focus group this year responded to that sentiment directly: “Apathy is a luxury we cannot afford. Sitting out doesn’t punish the politicians; it punishes our communities.”

A right, not a privilege

Section 19 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees every adult citizen the right to vote in free, fair, and regular elections, and to stand for public office. The IEC stresses that this is not a privilege granted by the government; it is an inherent right that belongs to every citizen.

Local elections, local impact

The 4 November 2026 elections are for municipal councils — the tier of government that has the most direct effect on daily life. Decisions about street lighting, parks, libraries, local roads, and public safety are all made at municipal level.

A learner from Khayelitsha, speaking during an IEC school outreach project in 2025, put it plainly: “If you don’t vote, you are letting someone else choose your future roommate, your playlist, and your career path. Why would you let strangers decide your life?”

Only registered voters may cast a ballot. A person who is not on the voters’ roll cannot vote on election day, regardless of their age or eligibility.

How to get registered

South Africans aged 16 and older may register on the national voters’ roll, even though they may only vote once they turn 18. The IEC says the process is straightforward: applicants can scan their smart ID card and register online in less than five minutes. No official registration weekend required. However, a second registration weekend is planned for August.

Young people make up the largest demographic group in South Africa. If they register and vote as a collective, the IEC says, they hold the power to determine outcomes at the ballot box.

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