Israel heads to the polls to elect 26th Knesset
Most polling stations in Israel were set to open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, for the election for the 26th Knesset, with voting scheduled to continue until 10 p.m. Some stations will operate on shorter schedules. Some 7.33 million Israelis are eligible to vote, according to Israeli Central Elections Committee figures dated Sept. 6, an increase of 543,177 since the previous election four years ago. The committee listed 12,018 regular polling stations nationwide, including 6,208 accessible stations. It will be the country’s first general election since the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023. Election Day in Israel is a national holiday, with schools, kindergartens and most workplaces expected to close. Voters choose party lists rather than directly electing a prime minister. Lists must receive at least 3.25% of valid votes to enter the Knesset. Military voting began on Oct. 21 at…
