Voter Education 2026

Voter Education 2026

Voter Education 2026

Dear Pastor / Church Leader,

Warm greetings in Christ.

Thank you for your continued participation in the collective voter education initiative of churches in Nelson Mandela Bay. Through this shared, non-partisan effort, we are encouraging members of our congregations to register in time, understand the importance of their vote, and participate wisely and responsibly in the Local Government Elections.

We are now in the fourth week of our weekly messages to churches. Thank you for helping to keep this matter before your congregation.

Weekly action steps for Sunday, 5 July 2026

Main focus: From registration to voter education

After the registration deadline on 2 August, nobody who has not registered will be able to vote. While we must continue to emphasize registration, we can now also begin to shift the focus toward informed voting.

The key message for this Sunday is:
"Once registered, we must understand how to vote wisely."

Please explain to members that voting is not about trusting politicians blindly. It is about accountability and
responsibility. As citizens, we have the responsibility to think carefully, ask good questions, and use our vote wisely.

Tasks for the pastor this Sunday:
Thank you for helping our congregations to participate faithfully, wisely and responsibly in the democratic process.

With appreciation,

Nelson Mandela Bay Church Leader Network
 

Dear Pastor / Church Leader,
 
Warm greetings in Christ.
 
Thank you for your continued participation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Church in the Community’s collective voter education initiative.
 
This is the weekly action step for Sunday, 28 June 2026, in preparation for the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. We will supply you with the weekly action step in the lead up to the election on 4 November.
 
As churches, we remain completely non-partisan. We do not support, promote or oppose any political party or candidate. We do not tell members who to vote for. Our task is to encourage eligible voters to register, to understand the election process, to vote responsibly, and to consider values such as integrity, competence, accountability, a proven track record and a genuine willingness to serve the community.
 
The Independent Electoral Commission has announced a further voter registration weekend on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026. This will be the final registration opportunity before the election is proclaimed. Once the election is proclaimed, voter registration will close. Only registered voters will be eligible to vote on 4 November.
 
For this reason, the message for this coming Sunday should be clear, direct and urgent:
 
“If you are not registered by 2 August, you will not be able to vote on 4 November.”
 
This is not a party-political message. It is a practical citizenship message. As churches, we remain completely non-partisan. We do not support, promote or oppose any political party or candidate. Our responsibility is to help our members participate wisely, ethically and responsibly in the democratic process.
 
Please use Sunday, 28 June, as a strong registration wakeup call  before the beginning of August.
 
Attached please find graphics you may use during announcements or on social media.
 
We ask pastors and church leaders to do the following this Sunday:
 
  1. Give a clear registration reminder during the worship service.
  2. Ask every member to check their registration status before leaving church, or at least before the end of the day.
  3. Encourage members to help at least one other person register or update their address before the final registration weekend of 1–2 August.
  4. Send a WhatsApp and Facebook reminder again on Sunday afternoon.
  5. Ask youth leaders to contact young eligible voters personally and encourage them to register.
  6. Encourage members to check that their voting station and residential address are correct.
  7. Remind members that, in municipal elections, they must vote where they are registered.

Members may register online or check and update their details at:
https://registertovote.elections.org.za/
 
Please encourage your congregation to act now. Registration should not be left until the last moment. If members have moved, if young people have recently become eligible to vote, or if anyone is unsure about their voting station, they should check and update their details immediately.
 
Our message remains hopeful: the vote is one of the practical ways in which ordinary citizens can help build accountable, ethical and responsive local government. In a city facing serious challenges, every responsible vote matters.
 
Thank you for helping your congregation take this important step.
 
Kind regards,
 
Nelson Mandela Bay Church Leader Network

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