Israeli Supreme Court Urges Urgent Action to Restore Polling Stations in Nursing Homes

The Israeli Supreme Court discussed petitions on Tuesday against the cancellation of polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities ahead of the 26th Knesset elections. The court requested an update from the Central Elections Committee within six days before ruling on the petitions. The judges emphasized the urgent need to ensure accessibility to these polling stations, stating that the Knesset committee's decision to cancel the arrangement "reverses the right to participate in elections." The panel included President Yitzhak Amit, Ofer Groskopf, and Gila Kanfi Steinitz.

During the hearing, President Amit criticized the Knesset for sidelining elderly voters, noting that unlike previous elections where voting by double envelopes was expanded, this time the process is regressing. He lamented that the arrangement had worked well in prior elections and expressed regret that it was not maintained.

The petitions were filed by attorneys Giora Ardinast, Yuval Yoaz, and Gilad Barnea on behalf of dozens of senior citizens, the Association of Elderly Organizations, and the Marva Association. They demanded the reinstatement of polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living institutions, as was done in the last two elections. Many elderly residents face difficulties voting at their assigned polling stations, which are often far from their actual residences. Some are wheelchair-bound or require assistance, making travel to distant polling places challenging or impossible.

The petitioners stressed they seek no special privileges but insist the state maintain an accessible voting mechanism already proven effective. The Central Elections Committee also supported continuing the arrangement. The petitioners suspect the cancellation is a political decision lacking operational justification and warn against political motives preventing elderly citizens from voting.

Petitioner Yael Rosenfeld criticized the decision as heartless and possibly politically motivated, saying, "Elderly citizens who have given their best years to the state are paying the price." Professor Yaniv Rosnai, vice dean at Reichman University's law school, noted the coalition opposed extending the arrangement because it benefits the opposition, citing many former Soviet Union immigrants in nursing homes who support Avigdor Lieberman.