Israel’s democracy goes to great lengths to ensure that voters can turn out to choose the party they prefer on election day.
By United With Israel Staff
Israeli officials often state how they take pride in being the only democracy in the region.
On election day, they turn those words into action.
For one thing, it’s an official national holiday. Israelis are given the day off.
In addition, the Central Elections Committee has arranged free intercity public transportation to ensure people can get to the polling station where they are registered.
The offer applies to both bus and train service and goes into effect the night before the election, from 8 pm on Monday night through the day on Tuesday until the polling stations close, as late as 10 pm in many localities.
The service even applies for people who need to get down to the Red Sea resort of Eilat, isolated from most of the country.
While free transportation has been available in the past, the service has been made easier this time in that it can be arranged on the spot at the bus and train stations. In previous elections, anyone requesting the service had to go to a post office and state that they will be at least 20 kilometers away on election day, and would then receive a voucher.
There is no law in Israel that requires all citizens from the age of 18 and up to vote. However, officials believe that all possible measures should be taken to help ensure that all those who wish to vote can have the opportunity to carry out their democratic right to help determine the country’s future.
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