Israel's Supreme Court to Rule on Voter Tracking by Parties

The Supreme Court of Israel has begun hearings on petitions challenging a decision by the Central Elections Committee (CEC) that permits political parties to track voters in real-time on election day. The practice allows parties to monitor who has already cast their ballot and who has not yet arrived at polling stations.

The CEC approved the real-time voter tracking on Sunday with a 19-11 vote. The challenge was brought to the court by activist Shahar Ben Meir, who argues that the use of such data infringes upon citizens' right to privacy. Political parties have employed this method since 2019, using information from representatives at polling stations to identify potential supporters who have not yet voted, subsequently contacting them via calls or messages to encourage participation.

Previously, CEC Chairman Noam Solberg had prohibited this practice, deeming it a violation of privacy laws. The Likud party appealed Solberg's decision, leading to the CEC being instructed to determine the data usage policy itself. On Sunday, the committee overturned Solberg's ban, reinstating permission for parties to track voter turnout. The Supreme Court will now assess the legality of this decision.