Israel's Unique Ballot System Uses Codes Instead of Party Names

Israel's electoral system employs a unique method where political parties are represented by single letters or short abbreviations on ballots, rather than their full names. Voters do not mark choices on a long paper ballot; instead, they select a small slip with a designated letter code for their chosen party and place it in an envelope. This system, detailed by "Segodnya," uses Hebrew letters as these codes. The Central Election Committee finalized and assigned all abbreviations a month before the 26th Knesset elections. While established parties often retain their familiar codes, new movements receive entirely new ones. Some abbreviations are actual Hebrew words with specific connotations, such as "Likud" represented by 'Mahl' and "Yesh Atid" by 'Derekh' (meaning 'path'). Shas is noted as the only party whose code, 'Shas,' closely matches its name. The full list of codes for all political factions, including smaller and unofficial groups, is published on the Central Election Committee's website. Voters are advised to familiarize themselves with these letter codes beforehand to prevent confusion at polling stations.