Voting for the Knesset is our chance to have a say. But every election, tens of thousands of votes are lost due to avoidable mistakes. In the November 2022 elections alone, nearly 30,000 votes were disqualified.

Don't let your vote become a statistic. Here is the straightforward guide on how to make sure your vote actually counts.

7 Mistakes That Will Get Your Ballot Thrown Out:

1. Putting Two Different Parties in One Envelope

The Slip-Up: You put two different slips (ptakim) into your voting envelope.
The Result: Disqualified.
The Fix: Pick one party slip. Period.

2. Stuffing the Envelope with 4 or More Slips

The Slip-Up: You put four or more identical slips for the same party in one envelope. (Note: Up to 3 identical slips will still be counted as 1 valid vote, but 4 or more disqualifies it).
The Result:  Disqualified.
The Fix:  Stick to a single slip to keep it clean and simple.

3. Using Home-Printed or Fake Slips

The Slip-Up: Bringing a slip you printed at home that doesn't match the Central Elections Committee’s strict size, font, or paper standards.
The Result: Disqualified.
The Fix: Just grab the official slips sitting right behind the blue screen at your polling booth. That's what they're there for.

4. Writing on a Blank Slip Incorrectly

The Slip-Up: Your party ran out of slips, so you grabbed a blank one, and either left it empty, wrote in black pen, or forgot the full party name.
The Result: A completely blank slip is thrown out. Wrong ink color or improper text can also get it disqualified.
The Fix: If you have to write a blank slip, use blue ink only. Write the party’s official letters and name clearly according to the rules. If the booth ran out of your party's slips, tell the committee outside!

5. Adding Drawings, Signatures, or "Protest" Notes

The Slip-Up: Doodling a smiley face, signing your name, or writing an angry note on the slip or envelope.
The Result: Disqualified immediately. Israeli voting is strictly secret; any mark that could identify who you are renders the vote invalid.
The Fix: Leave your artistic talent at home. Keep the slip completely clean.

6. Using the Wrong Envelope

The Slip-Up: Putting your slip in a random envelope you brought from home instead of the stamped one handed to you by the polling staff.
The Result: Disqualified, no questions asked.
The Fix: Only use the official envelope given to you directly by the committee members at the desk right before you step behind the curtain.

7. Late Double Envelopes (Ma'atfot Kfulot)

The Slip-Up: If you're voting on a double-envelope arrangement (soldiers, hospital patients, prisoners, diplomatic staff) and the envelope misses the strict post-election deadline.
The Result: Unopened and disqualified.
The Fix: If you vote under special arrangements, make sure you cast it as early as possible within your designated window so it makes it to the central tally in time.

What Happens When a Ballot Is Disqualified?

A disqualified vote is completely wasted. It doesn't go to your party, it doesn't help anyone cross the threshold (ahuz hakhashia), and it plays zero role in dividing up the 120 Knesset seats. You get counted in the overall turnout number, but your voice is silenced.

The Golden Rules Behind the Curtain

It takes three seconds to get it right:

1. One official slip for your chosen party.

2. Zero drawings, notes, or marks on the slip or envelope.

3. Use only the stamped envelope handed to you at the table.

Step in, slide your slip in the envelope, seal it, and drop it in the blue box. Done!