| The Israeli Knesset is a parliamentary system in which numerous parties that represent the views of different sub-populations are granted seats based on the number of popular votes they receive. Elections for the 21st Knesset will be held this Tuesday. Elections will determine the number of seats each party receives. The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, will then task one party with assembling the new government. This selection is based on which party the president feels is most likely to assemble a coalition – which is usually, but not always, the party which received the largest number of seats in the Knesset. Here’s what you need to know about voting before Election Day. |
| Who can vote? All Israeli citizens age 18 and older who are in Israel on Election Day are eligible to vote. Permanent residents (toshvei keva) and temporary residents (toshvei arai) are not permitted to vote. Israeli citizens who are abroad for any reason, aside from diplomats and government officials, are unable to vote. What am I voting for? Because of Israel’s parliamentary system, you are voting for a party – not for an individual. Each party will then be granted a certain number of seats based on how many votes they received and will allot those seats to various party members. When can I vote? Elections will be held on April 9, 2019, from 7:00 am-10:00 pm. What do I need to bring? You need to have either your teudat zehut, driver’s license or Israeli passport with you to vote. Where can I vote? Each citizen is required to vote in his assigned voting station, which is always in the area of the address under which he was registered as of February 14th in Misrad Hapnim.If their assigned station is not handicapped-accessible, handicapped voters are entitled to vote in a different handicapped-accessible station. Click here for a list of handicapped-accessible locations.Citizens who find themselves out of their home cities on Election Day are entitled to free public transportation to the city of their voting station. Board the bus and present the sefach of your teudat zehut that lists your home addressto receive a free ride.Generally, voters receive a postcard in the mail in the weeks leading up to Election Day with their voting information. If you did not receive a postcard, don’t worry – while it is helpful in that it gives you information on which voting station to use, it is not necessary to bring with you when you go to vote.If you are unsure which voting station you are assigned to, you can find your location here, or contact Chaim V’Chessed with your teudat zehut number for information. Is there work on Election Day? Election Day is a paid vacation day. However, your employer is entitled to have your workplace operate, in which case your work will result either in 200% pay for the day or a bonus vacation day at another point in the year. |