On Tuesday, November 1, Israel will once again hold elections for the Knesset. Chaim V’Chessed has been beset with numerous queries relating to the election process. In this article, our Bureaucratic Department addresses some common election-related questions.

Who is Eligible to Vote?

All Israeli citizens aged 18 and over are eligible to vote. However, it is important to note that your name must be listed in the Pinkas HaBocharim (Voter Registry) to be permitted to vote. The Pinkas HaBocharim closed on September 1. Hence, persons who made Aliyah between September 1 and Election Day are, unfortunately, not eligible to vote.

Similarly, Israeli citizens from abroad who do not have an address listed with the Misrad HaPnim do not appear in the Pinkas HaBocharim, and are therefore unable to vote.

Toshavei Keva (permanent residents) and Toshavei Arai (temporary residents) are NOT eligible to vote in national elections, even though they hold teudat zehut cards.

When & Where Do I Vote?

Voting stations will be open on November 1 from 7 AM until 8 PM. There is no absentee voting in Israel; other than diplomats stationed abroad, you can only participate if you are physically in Israel on November 1.

Voting stations are located in virtually every community across the country. By now, most voters should have received a card in the mail listing their exact voting station. If you do not know your voting station, click here to find it, or call 1-800-222-290. Please note that you will need the issue date of your teudat zehut to use this service. If you do not have a teudat zehut, contact Chaim V’Chessed for help locating your voting station.

People with a disability are permitted to vote in any handicapped-accessible voting station in the country. Click here to see a list of all handicapped accessible voting stations.

What Must I Bring?

Eligible voters can identify themselves with one of three government issued IDs:

• A teudat zehut card, even if expired
• A valid Israeli driver’s license
• A valid Israeli passport

Legal Holiday

Election Day is a legal holiday in Israel. Therefore, government offices, banks and many places of business will be closed.

However, seven Misrad HaPnim branches will open on Election Day, to allow voters to obtain new teudot zehut, if theirs is lost. The branches which will open are Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Nof HaGalil, Rishon L’Tzion, Rechovot, Beer Sheva and the Krayot. These locations will be open from 8:00 until 6 PM, without appointments needed. Applicants must bring two passport pictures and pay for the new teudat zehut by credit card at the appointment, or online at this link.