Election Day Holiday to Cost Israel $700 Million More Than in 2022
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Israel's election day holiday is projected to cost the economy 2.54 billion shekels in 2026, a 50% increase from 2022, according to the Israel Democracy Institute. The study found Israel to be an anomaly among developed nations, with most countries holding elections on weekends or not granting a full day off. While the holiday ensures accessibility due to limited alternative voting methods, researchers question if the economic cost justifies the potential impact on democratic participation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's 2026 election day holiday will cost the economy an estimated 2.54 billion shekels, up 50% from 2022.
- Most developed countries do not require a full economic shutdown for elections, unlike Israel.
- Only Israel and South Korea grant a full day off for weekday elections among OECD nations.
- The business sector is expected to lose 1.67 billion shekels and the public sector 865 million shekels in 2026.
- Limited alternative voting options in Israel make the holiday a key accessibility measure.
- Researchers question if economic savings from canceling the holiday outweigh risks to democratic participation.
Israel's upcoming general election day in 2026 is projected to cost the economy approximately 2.54 billion shekels (about $700 million), a significant increase from the 1.69 billion shekels incurred in 2022. This represents a 50% rise in economic cost, according to a study by Assaf Heman and Ofer Kenig of the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI). The researchers highlighted that Israel is an anomaly among developed nations, as most countries do not require a full economic shutdown for elections.
Out of 38 OECD countries, 29 hold elections on Saturdays or Sundays, which are rest days. Only nine countries conduct elections during the work week, and among them, just Israel and South Korea grant a full day off. Israel holds its elections on Tuesdays, while South Korea's are on Wednesdays. In contrast, the United States holds elections on Tuesdays without a general holiday, and other nations like the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands also schedule elections during the work week, requiring citizens to balance voting with their jobs.
Many countries avoid the economic cost by holding elections on weekends. Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, and Sweden, for example, schedule their elections on rest days. The projected 2026 cost in Israel breaks down to an estimated 1.67 billion shekels from the business sector and 865 million shekels from the public sector. This calculation is based on an annual GDP forecast of 2.253 trillion shekels, considering ongoing economic activity and tasks that can be completed later.
Despite the high cost, Israel's election system has unique characteristics. Unlike countries with extensive early, mail-in, or proxy voting options, Israel's are very limited, making the election day holiday a key measure to ensure voter accessibility. However, polling stations in Israel are typically open from 7 AM to 10 PM, suggesting that voting could be accommodated without a full economic shutdown. Past legislative attempts to link the holiday to actual voting or shorten it to a half-day have failed to advance.
A 2020 survey indicated that 69% of the public supports granting a holiday only to those who vote. However, the researchers cautioned that such a system could compromise voter privacy and necessitate an expensive oversight mechanism. Ultimately, the IDI study concludes that while Israel's election day holiday is costly and unusual globally, the potential economic savings from its cancellation may not outweigh the risk to democratic participation.
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