11 September 2026: the last day to petition over exclusion from the voter register

Why this is urgent

The voter register for the 26th Knesset elections came into force on 6 September 2026. From that moment it is closed — but the law leaves one short window for anyone who believes they were wrongly left out of it.

The statutory timetable published by the Central Elections Committee carries an explicit line:

> Section 53a — petition over exclusion from the voter register — 46 days before the election — 11/09/2026, Friday.

The same timetable sets the next step: section 53a(b) — decision on a petition over exclusion from the register — 2 October 2026.

11 September 2026 is also the eve of Rosh Hashanah. Anyone who needs to act should do so early in the day rather than count on the afternoon.

Who this concerns

The requirements for inclusion in the register, under the Knesset Elections Law [Consolidated Version], 1969, are:

• to be an Israeli citizen on the day the register is drawn;
• to be registered, together with your address, in the population registry as a resident;
• that your 18th birthday falls no later than election day.

The second condition is the one that trips people up in practice. Someone without a valid registered address — after an unreported move, after a period abroad, or through a registration mismatch — may find they do not appear in the register.

What to do, in order

1. First, check. Interior Ministry line: 1-800-101975 or 073-2458358, Sun–Thu 08:30–21:00, Fri 08:30–13:00. Self-service by SMS or WhatsApp: 053-3801464, 24 hours. The line also answers in Amharic.
2. If you are in the register — nothing to do through this channel. Just confirm the polling station suits you.
3. If you are not, and you believe you are eligible — this is the section 53a route, and it closes on 11 September 2026.
4. If you are unsure of your status — get advice. You can approach a legal body or an aid organisation; see our rights guides and the community voice page.

Tedros does not give legal advice. What is described here is the official timetable; for the step itself, professional support is worth having.

Sources

• Central Elections Committee — statutory activity timetable (sections 53a and 53a(b)), gov.il
• Central Elections Committee — "Elections to the 26th Knesset" (register eligibility conditions), gov.il, updated 7 Sept 2026