Joining millions of fellow Israelis I cast my ballot today in our national elections.
Secretly each voter chooses one little slip of paper to put in the envelope.
We have all these many lists to choose from.
The name and letter symbols for each party (sometimes even a party of one) were written in Hebrew, Arabic, and Russian.
Three officials checked my identity card, found my name on the official voter record, and handed me an envelope.
At the end one man was nice enough to take a picture for me, too.
Only one voter is allowed at a time inside his assigned polling station.
So long lines waited outside each of the five rooms inside the school.
At the gate of the school, representatives of the bigger parties had booths with pamphlets and a few giveaways.
There seemed to be a festive atmosphere in town--most people did not have to work, neighbors greeted one another, and every citizen was proud to cast his vote and to live in a democracy where elections go smoothly.
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(Linking to ABC Wednesday.)
Hopefully all goes smoothly. The process is pretty much the same with our election day.
ReplyDeletedemocracy rocks!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Participation is key.
ReplyDeleteMy ABC WEDNESDAY
We will soon vote for our Regional Council...
ReplyDeleteTomorrow we have to cast our votes for the First Chamber, which consists of representatives of the 12 provinces. I am sure that your election is far more interesting and important for the world.
ReplyDeleteWe all are watching the results.
Looks like a very well organized system. Glad you could vote!
ReplyDeleteDina, you were allowed to wear your back-pack into the ballot room. Were there no security precautions?
ReplyDeleteA very proud democracy and the only one in that entire part of the world.
ReplyDeleteI hope a _sound_ coalition is put together quickly. Because minority governments are often unstable, I would introduce a minimum percentage, before an individual/party could take up a seat.
Interesting to see how voting is done in other countries....am surprised you are allowed to photograph the official ballot...ours are electronic♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/jagged-ice/
ReplyDeleteGoed vote, interesting post, have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteJulie, actually there WAS a nation-wide announcement before election day not to come to the voting stations with bags or weapons.
ReplyDeleteBut here in our small town there was no security check at the gate and I did keep my backpack on.
The advantage to live in a small town...
ReplyDeleteI am also surprised that you got the permission to take pictures...
Here we have little booths with curtains, so no photos of the actual voting could happen. But I just vote early by mail - so much easier :) I see in the news that Netanyahu has won .... I was kind of rooting for him.
ReplyDeleteI believe shamefully that Hawaii has one of the worst voter turn outs. I don't know why that is. I think many people here are lulled into thinking their vote doesn't matter. I'm glad to know Israelis are taking it very seriously. What fun to see you there, Dina.
ReplyDelete