יום הבחירות לכנסת ה-26: כל הקלפיות נפתחו ברחבי הארץ

Election day for the 26th Knesset has arrived, with all polling stations across Israel opening by 8:00 AM. Most stations opened at 7:00 AM, with a small percentage opening later due to shortened hours. Over 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote in this election. Regular polling stations will close at 10:00 PM, while those with shortened hours will close two hours earlier.

Notable figures who have already cast their votes include former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, President Isaac Herzog, Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, Am Ech Israel Chairman Ofer Vinter, Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, Minister of Communications Shlomo Karai, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, and MKs Gilad Kariv and Vladimir Beliak. Many of these public figures urged the public to vote and emphasized the importance of the election for the country's Jewish character and future.

Detailed statistics reveal that 7,331,981 citizens are eligible to vote, an increase of over 543,000 from the previous election. A total of 12,018 regular polling stations are set up, with 6,208 being accessible to people with disabilities. Special provisions are in place for hospitalized individuals, prisoners, and evacuated communities, with polling stations located in hospitals, prisons, and designated areas for evacuees. Israelis abroad have already voted, with a participation rate of 86.7% in 99 embassies and consulates worldwide.

The electoral threshold, set at 3.25% of valid votes, is a critical factor that could determine the composition of the Knesset. The article also provides context on how votes are cast, what can invalidate a vote, and the timeline for vote counting and official results, which are expected within eight days of the election, though preliminary results are anticipated sooner.