The drama around polling stations in nursing homes ended with a surprising move

The High Court of Justice rejected petitions for special polling stations in nursing homes, after the Central Elections Committee announced an alternative solution: placing 127 accessible general polling stations in nursing homes, which will also serve nearby residents. The judges ruled that the procedure had become redundant.

The High Court of Justice rejected petitions filed by 56 elderly residents of nursing homes, together with the Association of Organizations for the Elderly in Israel and the Merhav Association, demanding the placement of special polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset. The judges accepted the announcement of the Central Elections Committee, which acted on its own initiative even before the petitions were filed, and approached 290 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. After field inspections, the committee recommended placing 159 polling stations in nursing homes that agreed to the conditions, including providing a polling station space free of charge and allowing entry to voters from outside the nursing home. At this stage, 127 polling stations were found to meet accessibility requirements, and will allow voting also for voters with limited mobility. The judges ruled that the solution, although not optimal, provides an adequate response under the circumstances, and that further examination of the petitioners' claims had become redundant. No costs were awarded.