Elections 2026: Key Dates on the Path to the 26th Knesset
With primaries concluded, the election campaign for the 26th Knesset is entering its final stretch. The schedule includes the submission of final candidate lists, the start of official propaganda, and the general election day on October 27, 2026.
The election campaign for the 26th Knesset is entering its next phase. Following the completion of primaries and the determination of internal party lists, the focus now shifts to the submission of final candidate lists, active campaigning, and the election day itself, scheduled for October 27, 2026. Several significant milestones remain, ranging from the deadline for political mergers to the start of voting at Israeli missions abroad and the implementation of the polling ban.
Primary Results
In this election cycle, only two major parties selected their lists through a direct vote of party members. On July 20, the Democrats party (a union of Labor and Meretz) held digital primaries under the leadership of Yair Golan. On August 17, the Likud held its primaries, with approximately 76,000 members participating to determine the order of candidates on the national list and in districts; Eli Cohen secured the top spot on the national list.
In other central parties, including Yahad, National Unity, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, and United Torah Judaism, list composition was determined through internal party mechanisms, such as nominating committees, party institutions, councils of rabbis, or leadership decisions.
September 9–10: Closing of Lists
The next critical date is September 9–10, when final candidate lists for the 26th Knesset must be submitted to the Central Elections Committee at the Knesset building. Until this deadline, parties may still form political alliances, technical blocks, and adjust their lists. Once submitted, the list of parties and candidates will be locked.
October: The Final Stretch
The political system officially entered the election period on July 17, 2026, following the dissolution of the 25th Knesset. Key events in October include:
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October 6: Distribution of voter notices to eligible citizens.
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October 13: Start of official election propaganda broadcasts on television and radio.
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October 15: Voting opens at Israeli diplomatic missions abroad and on vessels.
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October 16: Deadline for submitting surplus vote agreements between competing lists.
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October 23: Final day for publishing election polls. A ban on publishing polls takes effect at midnight on October 24 and remains in force until polling stations close on election day.
October 27: Election Day
Election day for the 26th Knesset is a national holiday. Following the closure of polling stations, the counting of all votes, including those from abroad and double envelopes, will commence. The official and final election results are expected to be published and approved on November 4, 2026.
