Election Officials Estimate Double Envelope Impact on 2026 Knesset Vote
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Election officials are assessing the impact of "double envelopes" on the 2026 Knesset elections, with counting set to begin Wednesday and finish Thursday. These special ballots are for voters casting ballots away from their registered address, including soldiers, prisoners, and this year, security evacuees. Historically, these votes have favored centrist parties over Haredi and Arab parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Double envelope ballot counting for the 2026 Knesset elections begins Wednesday.
- Double envelopes are used by voters casting ballots away from their registered address.
- Security evacuees can vote at designated mobility-impaired polling stations this year.
- Double envelope results traditionally impact Haredi and Arab parties negatively.
- Israel's electoral threshold is set at 3.25% of valid votes.
Election officials are estimating the number of "double envelopes" cast in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, as well as the electoral threshold and the vote value of each mandate. The counting of these special ballots is expected to begin on Wednesday morning or afternoon and conclude by Thursday evening. Double envelopes are used by voters who cast their ballot at a polling station other than the one assigned to their registered address. This includes soldiers, prisoners, hospital patients, and individuals with mobility issues. This year, evacuees due to security concerns will also be able to vote at designated polling stations for those with mobility limitations, regardless of their registered address.
The process for counting double envelopes involves verifying that voters did not also vote at their regular polling station. After this check, the envelopes are mixed to ensure anonymity. Traditionally, the results from double envelopes have tended to benefit centrist, Zionist parties while negatively impacting Haredi and Arab parties, due to the demographic makeup of those who typically use this voting method. The electoral threshold in Israel, currently set at 3.25% of valid votes, is designed to prevent a proliferation of small parties that could complicate government formation.
