Rights8/18/2026

Following the Petitions, 159 Polling Stations Will Open in Nursing Homes

The Central Elections Committee approved the placement of 159 polling stations in nursing homes and assisted-living complexes for the elections to the 26th Knesset. The decision followed an appeal by senior citizens and organizations to the High Court of Justice.

Key facts

•159 polling stations were approved
•Elections to the 26th Knesset
•The body: the Central Elections Committee
•The petition was filed with the High Court of Justice
•Approximately 100 additional polling stations will not open
•The case numbers and the exact date of the decision were not specified

Why the Petitions Were Filed

Dozens of senior citizens, the Association of Organizations for the Elderly, and the nonprofit association “Marva” petitioned the High Court of Justice. This occurred after the Knesset repealed the arrangement that had allowed polling stations to be placed in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities during the two most recent election campaigns.

What the Problem Was

After the previous arrangement was repealed, many residents were required to vote outside their place of residence. For people who use wheelchairs or walkers, or who depend on escorts and the institution’s staff, reaching the polling station where they are registered is sometimes nearly impossible.

What Changed Following the Proceedings

According to the report, the justices required the Central Elections Committee to formulate an urgent solution. The committee approved 159 polling stations and informed the High Court of Justice that, as a result, it believed the petitions had become moot. The source does not state the case numbers, the date of the judicial decision, or the final procedural outcome of the hearing on the petitions.

The Solution Remains Partial

The approved polling stations are intended to make voting accessible to thousands of senior voters. However, according to the report, approximately 100 additional polling stations will not open; the petitioners link this to political considerations. The source does not specify the particular institutions in which the polling stations will be placed.

What this means for you

For many residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, voting will be accessible directly at their place of residence. However, the decision does not include all institutions, so some senior voters may still be required to travel to an external polling station. The list of institutions does not appear in the material presented.

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Case analysis based on court rulings