Record Turnout: Highest Midday Voting Rate Since 1977
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Israel saw a record midday voter turnout of 31.5% by noon on election day, the highest since 1977. This figure is a 3.1% increase from the previous election in 2022. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attributed the surge to high participation in the Arab sector and left-wing areas, urging strategic voting. Special polling stations were set up for disabled individuals, hospital patients, prisoners, and evacuees, with overseas voting also reporting high engagement.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 31.5% of eligible voters cast ballots by noon, the highest rate since 1977.
- Turnout is up 3.1 percentage points compared to the 2022 elections.
- Finance Minister Smotrich cited high Arab sector and left-wing turnout.
- Special polling stations were established for disabled, hospitalized, and incarcerated voters.
- Overseas voting saw an 86.7% turnout, a significant increase from previous elections.
Israel's Central Elections Committee reported a significant surge in voter turnout by noon on election day, with 31.5% of eligible voters casting their ballots by 12:00 PM. This marks the highest participation rate at this hour since the pivotal 1977 elections, which saw a major political upheaval. The current figure represents a 3.1 percentage point increase compared to the same time in the 2022 elections.
The data was presented by Acting Director General of the Central Elections Committee, Dean Livna, during a press conference. The committee will continue to release national voting data every two hours until polls close at 10:00 PM. Livna noted that voting could extend beyond the scheduled hours if queues persist after 10:00 PM.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented on the high turnout, attributing it to exceptional participation in the Arab sector and traditional left-wing strongholds. He urged voters to cast their ballots only for parties guaranteed to pass the electoral threshold, warning against wasting votes on parties unlikely to enter the Knesset.
A total of 12,018 regular polling stations were established across the country, with 6,208 of them accessible to people with disabilities. Special provisions were also made for approximately five communities of evacuees, with 250 polling stations in hospitals, 55 in prisons, and 102 abroad in 100 diplomatic missions.
Most polling stations opened at 7:00 AM and will remain open until 10:00 PM. However, smaller communities and certain institutions like hospitals and prisons will have reduced hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Voters present in line before closing time will be allowed to vote.
Overseas voting concluded earlier, with 101 polling stations in 99 Israeli missions reporting an 86.7% turnout among eligible voters, a notable increase from the previous election. This voting period was primarily for state employees, envoys, and their families, not for tourists or students.
