Israel's 'Double Envelope' Voting System Explained
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Nearly 500,000 Israelis voted using the "double envelope" system, which allows soldiers, prisoners, and others unable to reach their polling stations to cast ballots. These votes are counted after regular ballots, potentially influencing final seat distribution. In the last election, over 460,000 used this method, with Likud receiving the most votes and Religious Zionism a higher percentage than its national average. Final results are published within eight days.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Nearly 500,000 Israelis voted using the "double envelope" system in recent elections.
- This system is for voters like soldiers, prisoners, and evacuees unable to reach their polling stations.
- Double envelope ballots are counted after regular votes, potentially changing final seat allocations.
- Over 460,000 voters used this method in the last election, representing 9.7% of the electorate.
- Likud received the most double envelope votes; Religious Zionism saw a higher percentage via this method.
- The Central Elections Committee must publish final results within eight days of the election.
Nearly half a million Israelis, including soldiers, prisoners, hospitalized citizens, and evacuees, cast their ballots using a "double envelope" system in the recent Knesset elections. This method allows voters unable to reach their designated polling stations on election day to still participate. Their votes are counted only after the regular ballots are processed, a delay that can potentially alter the final distribution of seats.
The "double envelope" process involves voters placing their ballot inside an outer envelope containing their personal identification. These envelopes are then sent to the Central Elections Committee of the Knesset, where officials verify each voter's eligibility and ensure no one votes twice. In the last election for the 25th Knesset, over 460,000 citizens, approximately 9.7% of the total electorate, utilized this system.
Data from the previous election indicated that the Likud party received the highest number of "double envelope" votes, while the Religious Zionism party garnered a higher percentage of its total votes through this method compared to its national average. The processing of these votes occurs after the primary ballots are tallied. Due to their significant volume, these votes can shift the balance of power and impact parties close to the electoral threshold.
According to Israeli law, the Central Elections Committee is mandated to publish the final election results within eight days following the vote.
