Double Envelopes Could Shift Knesset Seat Count; Counting Continues

By כתבי ynet

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

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Hebrew · 8 newsrooms covering

Israel's 26th Knesset election results are pending the count of 430,000 to 480,000 "double envelopes," which could alter the final seat distribution. These ballots, often cast by military personnel, tend to favor Zionist parties. The IDF reported high voter turnout among its ranks. The Central Elections Committee expects the counting to conclude by Thursday evening, with final checks continuing into the following week.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Final Knesset election results depend on counting 430,000-480,000 "double envelopes" by Thursday evening.
These ballots, often from military personnel, may shift Knesset seat distribution.
IDF reported 79.9% voter turnout among its personnel, an increase from 2022.
Preliminary results show Netanyahu's bloc with 53 seats, Gush Eizenkot with 48.
Central Elections Committee expects "almost final" results after double envelope count.

Double Envelopes Could Shift Knesset Seat Count; Counting Continues — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

With 85.6% of valid votes counted in Israel's 26th Knesset elections, final results hinge on the tally of "double envelopes," which could significantly alter the distribution of parliamentary seats. The Central Elections Committee estimates between 430,000 and 480,000 such ballots, with their counting expected to conclude by Thursday evening.

Historically, these ballots, cast by those unable to vote at their registered polling station, typically represent 3-5% of the vote and can shift one or two mandates. This year, due to the ongoing war, an unprecedented number of reservists and evacuees are expected to have used this method. These ballots, often cast by soldiers, diplomats, and police, tend to benefit Zionist parties at the expense of Haredi and Arab parties. For instance, in the 2022 elections, double envelopes led to a shift of one mandate from the Haredi United Torah Judaism party to Yisrael Beiteinu.

The IDF reported a 79.9% voter turnout among its personnel, an increase from the previous election. Over 890 military polling stations were established across bases and combat zones to facilitate voting.

Elad No'eh, Control Center Manager at the Central Elections Committee, described the election day as successful and quiet, despite fatigue. He noted that while regular ballot boxes are being processed, the impact of the double envelopes remains uncertain. The counting process for these ballots involves multiple verification stages before the final tally, which is expected to begin around midnight and conclude by Thursday evening, potentially extending into Friday. No'eh emphasized that "almost final" results will be available after this count, with further checks on sample or problematic polling stations continuing into the following week to ensure accuracy.

As of Wednesday afternoon, preliminary bloc counts showed Netanyahu's bloc with 53 seats, Gush Eizenkot with 48, and Arab parties with 19, but these numbers are subject to change as the remaining votes are tallied.