Double Envelopes Hold Key to Final Election Results
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Approximately 650,000 "double envelope" votes, potentially worth 15 Knesset seats, will delay the final Israeli election results until Thursday. These votes come from soldiers, displaced persons, and others voting outside their registered stations. While initial results will be released on election night, they will be incomplete. Past elections show these votes can shift seat allocations, particularly for parties near the electoral threshold. Final official results will be published by November 4.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Around 650,000 "double envelope" votes, worth about 15 Knesset seats, will delay final election results until Thursday.
- These votes are cast by soldiers, displaced persons, prisoners, and Israelis abroad.
- The "double envelope" system verifies voter eligibility before counting anonymous ballots.
- Historically, these votes have occasionally shifted election outcomes by one or two seats.
- Preliminary results released on election night will be incomplete and subject to change.
- Final official results are expected to be published by November 4.
Israeli election officials are preparing to count approximately 650,000 "double envelopes," representing votes cast by individuals who voted outside their registered polling stations. These votes, estimated to be worth around 15 Knesset seats, will not be included in the initial results released on election night. The counting process for these ballots is expected to conclude by Thursday, meaning preliminary results will be incomplete.
Double envelopes are used by various groups, including soldiers, police officers, prisoners, hospitalized patients, and Israeli representatives abroad. This election sees an increase in these votes due to a larger number of reservists voting at their bases and individuals displaced by security concerns since October 7, 2023, who are voting at designated polling stations. Soldiers serving in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon could vote starting October 20, with specific identification procedures in place for those without standard ID.
The "double envelope" system ensures voter anonymity while verifying eligibility. A voter places their ballot in an inner envelope, which is then placed in an outer envelope containing their personal details. During the count, officials verify the voter's details against the registry to prevent double voting. If valid, the outer envelope is destroyed, and the inner envelope, containing the anonymous vote, is counted. This verification process is why the count takes several days.
Historically, double envelopes have occasionally influenced election outcomes, typically by one or two seats. In past elections, parties like the Jewish Home, Ra'am-Ta'al, Likud, Meretz, the Joint List, and United Torah Judaism have seen their seat counts shift after these votes were tallied. Parties close to the electoral threshold of 3.25% are particularly susceptible to changes.
Media exit polls released on election night are estimates, not official results. The Central Elections Committee's initial results will only include regular polling stations. Any seat allocation published before Thursday may change, especially for parties near the threshold or on the verge of gaining another seat. The final, official results, including all double envelopes, are expected by Thursday, with the official results to be published by November 4, and the new Knesset to be sworn in on November 10.
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