Israeli Supreme Court Demands Adequate Plan for Replacing Polling Stations Removed from Non-Nursing Elderly Care Homes

The Israeli Supreme Court discussed petitions on Tuesday against the removal of polling stations from non-nursing elderly care homes. The court accepted the state's declaration that accessible polling stations would be set up to serve elderly voters in place of those removed but requested an updated, sufficient plan within six days. Supreme Court President Justice Isaac Amit criticized the reduction in public voting access, calling it the first time the Knesset has limited citizens' ability to vote. However, Justices Knafi Steinitz and Groskopf questioned the court's authority to intervene in this legislative matter.

The Central Elections Committee had sought to extend the arrangement allowing polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which had operated in recent elections and was even codified in law. However, due to coalition opposition, the provision was removed from the election law proposal. Petitioners argued that thousands of elderly residents, including those using walkers and wheelchairs, would face significant difficulties or be effectively prevented from voting without these polling stations.

Justice Amit noted the previous arrangement "worked excellently" in recent elections and lamented its absence this time. Justice Groskopf cautioned against judicial interference in legislative decisions, emphasizing that many laws lack political majority and the court cannot replace the Knesset. Petitioner attorney Yuval Yoaz clarified the petitions do not allege intentional voter suppression but question whether the law ensures practical voting rights.

Knesset representative attorney Yitzhak Bart stated there was no special arrangement for care homes in previous elections except temporary measures during COVID-19, and the current absence of a law was due to lack of consensus, not political motives. The State Attorney's Office representative also opposed court intervention, noting the Central Elections Committee is working within existing law to provide accessible polling stations, with about 230 stations previously serving around 290 institutions.

Elderly petitioner Yael Rosenfeld criticized the decision, calling it heartless and possibly politically motivated, arguing it unfairly burdens senior citizens who have contributed to the state. The coalition removed the provision for polling stations in non-nursing care homes from the election law in early July despite the Central Elections Committee's request, amid opposition led by Likud. Sources acknowledged the opposition stemmed from concerns about electoral advantage to the Israel Beytenu party, as these homes include immigrant retirement communities. Likud MK Amit Levi officially argued the measure discriminates between elderly with different economic means. Approximately 37,000 voters reside in non-nursing care homes, nearly equivalent to one Knesset seat. Nursing home residents have a separate arrangement similar to polling stations in hospitals.