How to Vote in Israel Without Your Mail-In Ballot
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israeli voters who did not receive their mail-in notification card can still vote in the October 27 elections by presenting official photo identification. Polling station information can be found online, via a dedicated hotline, or through SMS/WhatsApp services. Election officials must locate voters in the official registry even without the card. Voters with disabilities can use accessible polling stations and a double-envelope system.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Voter notification cards are not required to vote in Israel's October 27 elections.
- Official photo ID, such as an identity card or passport, is sufficient for voting.
- Voters can find their polling station online, by phone, or via SMS/WhatsApp.
- Election officials must locate voters in the official registry if they lack a notification card.
- Voters with disabilities can use accessible polling stations with a special double-envelope process.
Israeli citizens who have not received their voter notification cards by mail can still cast their ballots in the upcoming elections on October 27. The Central Elections Committee (CEC) and the Ministry of Interior have provided several methods for voters to determine their assigned polling station and ensure their right to vote is upheld.
Possession of the physical voter notification card, known as "oda'a la-bocher," is not mandatory for voting. Its purpose is purely informational, and election officials are not permitted to demand its presentation. To vote, individuals must present one of the following official, photo-bearing identification documents: an identity card (Teudat Zehut), a valid Israeli passport (Darkon), a valid Israeli driver's license, or a military or police identification card.
For those without the mail-in notification, the CEC and Ministry of Interior offer multiple ways to find polling station details. An online search is available through the government services portal, where the "Eitur Kalpi" service allows users to find their station number and address by entering their Teudat Zehut number and issue date. This service also indicates accessibility for individuals with limited mobility. Alternatively, a dedicated information center (Moked Meyda) operates a hotline, providing polling station information via an automated system or live operator when prompted with an ID number. Additionally, before the elections, the CEC and Population Registry activate SMS and WhatsApp services where voters can text their ID number to receive polling station details.
Election officials are obligated to locate voters on the official registry (Pinkas Ha-Bochrim) even without the notification card. If a voter is not listed at a particular polling station, officials must verify their correct assignment in the central database and direct them accordingly; voting at the wrong station will invalidate the ballot. Voters with physical disabilities can vote at any accessible polling station ("Kalpi Negisha Meyukhedet"), where they will cast their vote using a double envelope system after completing a health declaration. This process ensures their vote is counted after centralized verification by the CEC to prevent duplicate voting.
