Following Supreme Court Petition: 159 Polling Stations to Open in Nursing Homes
Petitions were filed by dozens of senior citizens after the Knesset canceled the arrangement allowing polling stations in assisted living facilities. Despite this significant achievement, the struggle continues, as approximately 100 additional stations will not be opened due to political considerations.
The Central Elections Committee approved today the placement of 159 polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities for the 26th Knesset elections, following a hearing on petitions to the Supreme Court and a demand to find a solution that would allow senior citizens to exercise their right to vote. The committee notified the Supreme Court that, following this approval, it considers the petitions to be moot.
The petitions were filed by dozens of senior citizens, alongside the Association of Organizations for the Elderly and the Marva organization, after the Knesset canceled the arrangement that allowed for the placement of polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities during the last two election cycles. The cancellation meant that for many residents, including those who use wheelchairs or walkers, or are dependent on facility staff, the designated polling station was located outside their place of residence, often leaving them with no practical way to vote.
The petitions argued that the arrangement was canceled despite the opposition of professional staff at the Elections Committee and without any professional justification. Following the hearing in the Supreme Court and the judges' decision to require the Elections Committee to urgently promote a solution, the placement of the 159 polling stations was approved.
This is a significant achievement for the petitioners and their legal team, yet the solution remains partial; approximately 100 additional polling stations will not be placed due to political considerations. The struggle to ensure that no senior citizen is forced to give up their right to vote simply because they cannot reach a distant polling station is not yet over.
On behalf of the petitioners, it was stated:
"This is an important achievement. Thanks to the petition, 159 polling stations will be placed, allowing many senior citizens to exercise their right to vote. Alongside this, it is regrettable that about 100 additional polling stations will not be placed due to political considerations. 'Do not cast me off in the time of old age' is not just a verse—those who gave the state their best years should not have to fight for the basic right to make their voices heard at the ballot box."
