92% of #PledgeToVote respondents believe voting makes a difference

More than nine in ten respondents to the IRR’s 2026 #PledgeToVote Survey believe voting makes a difference, highlighting the value participants place on having a say and holding politicians accountable.

The most frequently selected reason for believing voting matters was that "not voting lets others decide on my behalf", chosen by 27.5% of all respondents. Holding politicians accountable followed at 19.1%, while 18.1% selected influencing who makes important decisions.

"The most common reason respondents gave for believing voting matters – “Not voting lets others decide on your behalf” – goes to the heart of local democracy," says Hermann Pretorius, head of strategic communications at the Institute of Race Relations (IRR). The IRR's #PledgeToVote initiative is being run in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Says Pretorius: "Your vote helps choose who makes decisions about your community’s water, roads and refuse collection. Politicians must answer for those decisions, and voting is one way citizens can hold them accountable.

"These findings, though not part of an empirical survey, give us useful insights into what motivates respondents to value voting: having a voice, choosing decision-makers and demanding accountability. The task is to turn that conviction into participation."

The #PledgeToVote Survey is an IRR initiative to gather views on voting and local government. It is not a scientific opinion poll. So far, the survey has received 1,017 responses.

Through #PledgeToVote, the IRR and KAS encourage South Africans to use their vote to help shape how their communities are governed.

Media contact: Hermann Pretorius IRR Head of Strategic Communications Tel: 079 875 4290 Email: hermann@irr.org.za

Media enquiries: Michael Morris IRR head of media Tel: 066 302 1968 Email: michael@irr.org.za