Israel votes on 27 October to elect its single-house, 120-member Knesset

13 October 2026

The Law Library of Congress published an explainer on 9 October 2026 setting out the rules for Israel's national election. Israelis return to the polls on October 27, 2026, to elect the Knesset's single-house, 120-member parliament. Representation in the Knesset requires a party list to pass a threshold currently set at 3.25% of the total valid votes. Seats are allotted from a quotient: the total number of valid votes is divided by 120. A government and its ministers are installed following a vote of confidence by at least 61 of the 120 Knesset members. Israel does not recognize absentee ballots, and voters must be present at a polling station and identify themselves.