Israel Votes: Key Times for Election Day and Results

Millions of Israelis are heading to the polls today, Tuesday, for the 26th Knesset elections. A total of 7,331,981 eligible voters can cast their ballots at 12,018 polling stations across the country. Election day is a national holiday, with most polling stations opening at 7:00 AM and closing at 10:00 PM. However, smaller communities with up to 350 eligible voters, as well as polling stations in hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes, will operate from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Voters in line before the closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballot.

Initial election projections from television channels are expected to be released at 10:00 PM, immediately after the polls close. Channel 14 will feature a projection by Shlomo Filber, aiming to predict the distribution of the 120 Knesset seats and the balance of power between political blocs. While these projections offer a preliminary look at the results, they are not official. Close races near the electoral threshold or small gaps between blocs could lead to significant deviations from the initial forecasts.

The vote count will commence after the polls close, with preliminary results gradually being transferred to the Central Elections Committee. Initial data is anticipated overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. A clearer picture of seat distribution may emerge early Wednesday morning. However, the counting of double envelopes, which include votes from soldiers, hospital patients, and other special categories, is expected to continue for several days. The Central Elections Committee estimates it can complete the count by Thursday, with the official results deadline set for November 4.