Israel’s Central Elections Committee approves voting booths in 159 old-age homes following controversy

Israel's Central Elections Committee (CEC) announced on Tuesday that it has approved the placement of polling stations in 159 old-age homes. The decision follows a period of controversy after the ruling coalition declined to renew a COVID-era provision that had facilitated voting in assisted-living facilities, a move that drew significant criticism and legal challenges.

Following arguments presented to the High Court that the coalition's decision violated the voting rights of elderly and disabled citizens, the court requested that the CEC explore ways to improve access to ballot boxes for seniors. According to the committee, out of 290 facilities surveyed, 159 agreed to host polling stations, a measure that was subsequently approved by a vote of the CEC members.

Oded Forer, a member of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, had previously warned that the removal of these booths could affect between 35,000 and 37,000 voters, potentially impacting the equivalent of one Knesset seat. While petitioners welcomed the move, they expressed disappointment that approximately 100 other potential polling locations would remain excluded due to what they described as political calculations.

The controversy specifically concerned retirement and assisted-living facilities, distinct from nursing homes, which have long been served by mobile ballot boxes. The CEC, an independent state body chaired by a Supreme Court justice, remains responsible for the integrity and management of the parliamentary elections.