Election Day: Ballot Slips, Free Travel and Publication of the Results

Ballot Slips in the Envelope

Up to three identical ballot slips for a single list may be placed in one envelope—and all will be counted as one vote. Four or more identical ballot slips, or ballot slips for different lists, invalidate the vote. A blank white ballot slip is not considered a protest vote: it is invalidated and is not included in the final count.

What the White Ballot Slip Is Intended For

Under Section 76(c) of the Knesset Elections Law, white ballot slips are intended for situations in which the ballot slips of a particular list have run out at the polling station. The voter may write in blue pen the letters denoting the list in Hebrew, Arabic or both languages, with or without the name of the list. If the ballot slip bears no other markings that could invalidate it, the vote will be deemed to have been cast using a printed ballot slip.

Envelope Color and the Deadline for Publishing the Results

Section 74A of the Elections Law provides that the envelopes shall be blue unless the Central Elections Committee decides otherwise. The shades of blue vary from one election to another to prevent the reuse of old envelopes. Section 11 of Basic Law: The Knesset requires the results to be published no later than eight days after the elections; in the case described, November 4 was set as the deadline, although the committee expected to publish the results as early as noon on October 29.

When Travel Is Free

From 8:00 p.m. on the evening before the elections until the end of public transportation service on voting day, travel on intercity buses and all Israel Railways lines is free. On buses, the benefit applies to routes longer than 15 km, and there is no need to present a ticket or identification document. Travel on urban routes and shorter bus routes is subject to the regular fare, while free train travel requires obtaining a special ticket at the ticket counter or from a machine.

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