Long Queues Prompt New Instructions at Israeli Polling Stations

With long lines forming on election day, the Central Elections Committee told polling staff to start identifying the next voter while the previous one is still behind the screen.

The new instructions, issued on Tuesday afternoon, October 27, aim to cut delays at polling stations without touching the secrecy of the vote. Staff were told the identity check for the next voter no longer has to wait until the previous voter finishes.

Speeding up the line

The instruction was reported at 14:13 by several outlets, including Srugim and JDN. Acting committee director general Dean Livne warned that polling station secretaries who fail to prevent unnecessary congestion could be removed from their posts.

The change only covers the paperwork. Only one voter at a time is allowed behind the screen, and the ballot remains secret.

In an update reported by N12 at 14:35, the committee also told staff to sign voting envelopes continuously, so that this step would not become another bottleneck.

Expired ID cards and accessible voting

The same update said an expired Israeli identity card should not hold up a voter, as long as the photo is clear enough for identification. The clarification refers to the identity card, not to every other form of ID.

Staff were also told to give priority to voters with disabilities and not to delay them, and to allow a companion to assist in line with the legal rules for accompanied voting.

Why the queues matter

Turnout on Israeli election day usually peaks in the afternoon and evening, when people come after work. Slow lines at that hour can push voters to give up and go home, which is why the committee moved to clear avoidable delays before the evening rush.

What happens at closing time

Anyone who is in line before their polling station closes will be allowed to vote, even if it takes longer to process the queue. Most stations close at 22:00, and some close earlier.

This is not an extension of voting hours. Voters who arrive after their station's closing time will not be allowed in, so the committee's advice is simple: come before the deadline. For any problem at the polling station, the polling secretary is the first point of contact.