Israel Votes for 26th Knesset as Polls Open Nationwide

By אפרת ברינר

Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba

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Hebrew · 6 newsrooms covering

Israel is holding elections for the 26th Knesset, with all polling stations opening nationwide. Over 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote at 12,018 stations, with special provisions for disabled individuals, hospital patients, prisoners, and Israelis abroad. Voting concludes at 10:00 PM, with preliminary results expected overnight and final results within eight days.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

All polling stations for Israel's 26th Knesset elections opened nationwide Tuesday morning.
Over 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote in the 26th Knesset elections.
12,018 polling stations are operating across Israel, with accessibility measures in place.
Special voting arrangements exist for hospital patients, prisoners, and displaced citizens.
Voting for Israelis abroad has concluded with an 86.7% participation rate.
Preliminary election results are expected overnight, with final results due within eight days.

Israel Votes for 26th Knesset as Polls Open Nationwide — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Election day for the 26th Knesset is underway in Israel, with all polling stations opening across the country. Most stations began operations at 7:00 AM, with the remaining ones, which had shortened voting hours, opening at 8:00 AM. Millions of eligible voters can now cast their ballots. Regular polling stations will close at 10:00 PM, while those with shorter hours will close two hours earlier. Reports indicate a large turnout in Tel Aviv.

Over 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote in this election, an increase of over 543,000 compared to the previous election. A total of 12,018 regular polling stations have been set up, with 6,208 of them accessible to people with disabilities. Special accessible polling stations allow voting for those not registered there, under specific legal conditions. Additionally, 250 polling stations are located in hospitals, 55 in prisons, and 102 at Israeli embassies abroad.

Voting procedures require an identification document, such as an ID card, valid driver's license, or passport. Special arrangements are in place for hospitalized patients, prisoners, and displaced communities. For individuals with mobility issues, accessible polling stations are available, with special stations allowing voting even if not registered at that location. Displaced individuals can vote at designated stations or accessible stations closer to their temporary locations.

Voting for Israelis abroad has already concluded, with 101 polling stations operating in 99 embassies and consulates worldwide. Approximately 86.7% of eligible voters abroad participated, a significant increase from the previous election. This voting is generally limited to state employees and their families.

Preliminary results are expected overnight after polls close at 10:00 PM, with final official results due within eight days. The Central Elections Committee anticipates completing the vote count by Thursday afternoon.