Israel Sets One-Week Deadline to Update Voter Addresses Ahead of September Elections

With the 26th Knesset elections approaching, Israeli voters who have moved residences have only until September 3, 2026, to update their address with the Ministry of Interior to vote near their new location. The address update process is free and must be completed by 4 p.m. on that date, which coincides with the final closure of the voter registry. The Ministry urged citizens to verify their registered voting location and update it if necessary through various accessible channels, including online, WhatsApp, SMS, and phone support available in multiple languages.

In addition to the address update deadline, the political landscape is preparing for the closure of party lists on September 7 and 8. Currently, about 15 parties intend to run, with roughly eight hovering around the electoral threshold, raising concerns about wasted votes. Smaller right-wing parties, including those led by Benny Gantz, Bezalel Smotrich, Gilad Erdan, and others, risk failing to pass the threshold, potentially losing between five and eight Knesset seats according to recent polls.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly urged voters not to support small parties that might jeopardize his bloc’s strength. He has targeted specific parties and leaders in his strategy to consolidate votes, including calls for some candidates not to run. Following the list closure, parties have until October 16 to announce surplus vote agreements, which allow allied parties to combine votes to increase their chances of gaining additional seats. However, these agreements only apply if all parties involved surpass the electoral threshold.

Voters are encouraged to check their registration details promptly to ensure their votes count in the upcoming elections, as the final voter registry will be locked on September 3. The Ministry of Interior and the Central Elections Committee provide multiple resources to assist voters in this process.