As South Africans prepare for the 2026 local government elections, an article reviews eight common election myths related to voting and their consequences. The piece focuses on misconceptions that voters may hold about whether casting a ballot makes a difference, what happens if people do not vote, and how election results are affected by turnout. It aims to clarify that election participation is not only a personal choice but also tied to how representatives are selected and how municipalities are governed following elections. While the article is framed around debunking voter misinformation, it does not present a single set of official results or legal changes. Instead, it provides explanations intended to help voters understand the practical impact of voting and non-voting, and to encourage informed participation ahead of the local government election process.