The local government electoral system differs from the national and provincial electoral system of pure proportional representation. Voters get three ballots – one for the local council (party names), one for a ward candidate (individual names) and one for the district council (party names). In the local council, half of all councillors come from wards where they are directly elected as individuals. The other half come from party lists and are elected according to a proportional list system. District councils are partially elected on the basis of proportional representation, and partially appointed by the councils of local municipalities within the district.

In the eight metropolitan councils (the City of Johannesburg, the City of Tshwane, eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Mangaung, Buffalo City, the City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality) voters get only two ballots, as there are no district councils. In 2016 more metros may be added.