Israeli Overseas Voting Ends With Record 86.7% Turnout

The Central Elections Committee announced the conclusion of voting for the 26th Knesset at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide, reporting a turnout of 86.7%. A total of 4,218 out of 4,863 eligible voters cast ballots across 101 polling stations in 99 diplomatic missions, including Israel's newest mission in Fiji. This represents a 17.1 percentage point increase over the 69.6% turnout recorded during the elections for the 25th Knesset in November 2022.

Voting began at the Israeli Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, and concluded at polling stations on the West Coast of the United States, specifically in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The New York consulate served as the largest polling site, hosting over 700 eligible voters. While ordinary citizens must return to Israel to vote, absentee voting is permitted for diplomatic staff, government personnel, and military attachés.

Ballot envelopes are now being transferred to Israel for the official count. Following the overseas phase, the Israel Defense Forces will conduct early voting for soldiers on October 20 at 850 polling stations, which will include secure mobile booths for troops stationed in Gaza and Lebanon. The general election is scheduled for October 27.