The South African Local Government Association (Salga) is urging young people to turn Youth Month into action by registering to vote and taking ownership of their future in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

With voter apathy rising and trust in democratic participation under strain, Salga says the upcoming voter registration weekend that will take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June is a crucial chance to get on the roll, update details, and step back into the democratic process that shapes everyday life.

Voter apathy and registration trends among young people

According to a recent Public Opinion Research by GCIS, South Africa approaches the 2026 local government elections amid “entrenched public pessimism and active democratic disengagement,” as the public lose motivation for participating in voting.

The study says 62% of unregistered voters have no intention of registering to vote, with only 38% of unregistered respondents saying they are open to registration.

Salga Youth Commission chairperson, Lucky Sele, said: “What is even worrying is the fact that over 60% of non-registered youth aged 18–34 do not intend to register, representing millions of potential first-time or second-time voters absent from the rolls.”

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) recently unveiled its campaign for this year’s Local Government Elections under the message “Get Up, Show Up, Vote” which has identified young people as a priority audience in efforts to strengthen democratic participation.

Salga believes that local democracy will only be strengthened when young people choose to participate actively in shaping the councils, priorities and decisions that affect their daily lives.

“Young people cannot afford to be absent from decisions that affect jobs, service delivery, accountability and the future of their communities,” concluded Sele.

The 2026 South African municipal elections will be held on 4 November. 

ALSO READ: IEC strengthens election readiness in Western Cape ahead of local polls