Whether you’ve just arrived or have been living in Israel for years, life as a citizen in Israel means getting familiar with a new voting system—and understanding how Election Day may affect you! Israel’s national elections are scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Here’s a quick guide to the essentials.

Can I Vote?
Only Israeli citizens who are at least 18 years old and registered on the official voter list are eligible to vote. If you’re a new Oleh, your eligibility depends on completing Aliyah in time for the voter registry deadline. The deadline for the current elections was September 3, 2026. When making Aliyah one is automatically registered to vote, no action is needed. Non-Israeli citizens cannot vote in Knesset elections, even if they are permanent residents.

Where Do I Vote?
Your polling station is assigned based on your address as it is registered with Misrad Hapnim (the Ministry of Interior). You can check your polling information through the official voter information website. If you have moved and have not updated your address with Misrad HaPnim before the deadline of September 3rd, you will need to vote according to your previous address ballot location.
You may also have received a text message (SMS) this week with your voting location.

No valid Israeli ID? No worries!
On Election Day (27.10.26), select branches of the Population and Immigration Authority will be open from 8:00 to 18:00, to issue on-the-spot temporary Teudat Zehut/ID cards for voters ONLY. No other services will be available. Bring two identical passport pictures and a form of ID.
The branches that will be open: Jerusalem (Shlomzion HaMalka), Tel Aviv (Menachem Begin), Rishon L’Zion, Kfar Saba, Bnei Brak, Beer Sheva, Ashkelon, Krayot, Nof Hagalil, and Tzfat.

How Does Voting Work?
Israelis vote for a political party rather than directly for a candidate for Prime Minister. Each party receives seats in the Knesset in proportion to its share of the vote, and the government is formed through a coalition-building process. There are 120 seats in the Knesset.

How Do I Vote?
No Hebrew? Don’t worry—the voting process is straightforward, even if you’re still learning the language! Just come prepared with the symbol of the party you wish to vote for so you recognize it when voting.
Find the room with the ballot number (mispar kalpi) where you are assigned to vote (there will be a representative with a directory if you are not sure) and join the line. Each room has several representatives of the election committee seated at a long table, a ballot box in front of them, and one or more voting booth.
Once it is your turn, hand in your ID and you will receive a ballot envelope. You will then go into the “booth” where you will find a plastic tray with the voting slips. (Click here to see what it looks like.)
Choose the slip of paper with the letters that correspond to the party for whom you wish to vote. Make sure you have only one slip inside, then seal the envelope.
Insert your envelope into the ballot box (found in front of the election committee representatives).
Make sure to collect your ID when you are done.

Free Public Transportation!
Is your polling station far from your current address? Good news! Many (but not all) Intercity bus routes (over 15 km) and Israel Railways will be free for the general public starting at 8:00 PM on Monday, October 26, through the end of public transportation service on Election Day, Tuesday, October 27.

1.  For a list of the included lines check the Ministry of Transportation’s information hotline at *8787. Once you’ve confirmed your route is included, you can board without showing ID or presenting a ticket.
2. Get a special free ticket for train travel at the station’s ticket counter or ticket machine.

What Does Election Day Mean for Employees?
Election Day is generally a paid day off for eligible employees and is not deducted from regular vacation days. Certain essential public services continue operating, and special rules may apply to employees who work that day (they may receive double pay or an additional vacation day).

Accessible Voting
Voters who have a disability that makes it physically difficult to get to their assigned polling station may be eligible to vote at another accessible polling location.

For more information: https://www.gov.il/en/pages/info-polling-map

Want to learn more?
Check out Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Israeli Elections Guide for more information. Go to the Central Elections Committee site if you want to go even deeper. The official Central Elections Committee party candidate list can be found here.