Election chiefs express concern over decision to remove polling stations from care homes

A former head of Israel’s Central Elections Committee has voiced concern about a controversial decision to exclude polling stations from residential care homes in the upcoming election. Advocate Orly Ades, who previously led the committee, shared her worries during an interview on radio station 103FM, addressing criticism of the policy change that will prevent elderly residents in nursing homes from voting at their facilities.

The move to withdraw polling stations from care homes has raised alarm among election officials and advocates for elderly voters’ rights. Ades indicated that many people are troubled by the decision, which could significantly impact access to voting for some of Israel’s most vulnerable and immobile citizens. The removal of in-facility voting options may force care home residents to either travel to distant polling stations or be unable to cast their ballots in the election.

The decision represents a departure from previous electoral practices in Israel, where care homes have traditionally served as polling locations to ensure elderly and infirm residents could participate in democratic processes. Critics argue that eliminating these facilities could effectively disenfranchise a portion of the electorate who may lack the physical ability or means to reach alternative voting locations.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.