Chaim V’Chessed: Israel’s Elections Are Coming – What You Need to Know
With Israel’s Knesset elections approaching on October 27, Chaim V’Chessed has been swamped with related questions. Do you need to receive a voter notification card in the mail? Can permanent residents vote? What if you recently made aliyah? And what identification do you need to bring to the polling station?
Chaim V’Chessed is pleased to share some important information to help clarify these questions.
How can I check if I’m eligible to vote?
The easiest way is to check your eligibility online, in English, at the following link:
Check Your Voter Eligibility and Find Your Polling Station
You can also call Degel HaTorah’s English language hotline for check your availability and for other voting assistance at 03-313-5280.
What if I didn’t receive a voting information postcard?
You should have received a postcard in the mail with information about your assigned polling station. If you didn’t receive one, don’t worry! Not receiving a postcard does not mean you are ineligible to vote. You can check your eligibility and find out where you are assigned to vote through the online service linked above or by calling the Degel HaTorah hotline listed above.
Can permanent or temporary residents vote?
No. Permanent residents (toshvei keva), temporary residents (toshvei arai) are not Israeli citizens, and therefore cannot vote in Knesset elections, even if they hold a Teudat Zehut (Israeli identity card). The right to vote is reserved for eligible Israeli citizens who are registered in the voter registry.
Can Israeli citizens living abroad vote?
Generally, Israeli citizens must be physically present in Israel to vote in Knesset elections. The only exceptions are diplomats who are stationed abroad.
I recently made aliyah. Can I vote?
Almost all Israeli citizens are eligible to vote, provided they meet the registration requirements. However, anyone who was not registered in the Pinkas HaBochrim (פנקס הבוחרים) by September 3, 2026, is not be eligible to vote in these elections. This means that someone who made aliyah after that date will not be able to vote.
What identification do I need to bring to vote?
You must bring an accepted form of identification to the polling station. The following documents can be used:
- Teudat Zehut (Israeli identity card): You may vote with your Teudat Zehut even if it has expired.
- Israeli passport: Must be valid.
- Israeli driver’s license: Must be valid and include your photograph.
Your voter notification postcard is not a substitute for an accepted identification document. Be sure to bring your original identification document.
What if I’ve moved recently?
Your assigned polling station is determined by your registered address with the Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPnim).
If you have moved but have not updated your address with the Ministry of Interior, you will generally need to vote at the polling station assigned to your previous address.
The same applies if you updated your address after the voter registry (Pinkas HaBochrim) closed on September 3, 2026. In that case, your polling station will still be based on your previously registered address.
If you have moved, it is a good idea to check your assigned polling station in advance so you know exactly where to go on Election Day.
What about Bnei Mehagrim?
Bnei Mehagrim are Israeli citizens born or raised abroad to Israeli parents who emigrated from Israel and who generally reside outside Israel. Some Bnei Mehagrim who do not have an address registered in the Population Registry may encounter difficulties with voter registration and should check their eligibility.
As Election Day approaches, we hope this information will help clarify some of the most common questions. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, Chaim V’Chessed encourages you to check your status online rather than assume you cannot vote.