Israel's 2026 Election Results: When to Expect Final Tally

Israel's 26th Knesset elections are scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, with millions of Israelis set to cast their votes. However, a complete picture of the mandate distribution may not be available immediately after polls close and initial counts are finished. Polling stations across the country are expected to close around 10:00 PM, after which vote counting will commence. Preliminary results will be streamed to the Central Elections Committee website overnight and updated throughout Wednesday, October 28. It is important to remember that exit polls are not official results, and interim data may change as counting progresses.

One reason for potential delays in the final results is the counting of "double envelopes." This method applies to votes cast by soldiers, police officers, hospital patients, prisoners, and voters at special accessible polling stations. These envelopes undergo separate verification to ensure no one voted twice before their votes are counted. Votes transferred from Israeli diplomatic missions abroad will also be counted after election day.

The counting of double envelopes can be particularly significant for parties close to the electoral threshold. A party that appears to have passed the threshold based on initial counts might find its results change after this process, and vice versa. Therefore, even when preliminary mandate distribution data is released, it is advisable to wait for the completion of all checks and counts before determining the final outcome.

According to the official schedule, the deadline for publishing the election results in the records is Wednesday, November 4, 2026, eight days after election day. The swearing-in of the 26th Knesset is expected on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. By then, the final mandate distribution, which will form the basis for the subsequent consultations at the President's Residence and the task of forming a government, should be clear.