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“By 8 p.m., two hours before polling ends, the Israeli election committee said turnout was 63.7 percent, up from 59.7 percent at the same time in 2009 and the highest level since 1999, when Netanyahu, serving his first term as prime minister, was defeated by then-Labour Party leader Ehud Barak.” (Reuters)
I was always under the now seemingly false impression that Israelis lived, slept and breathed politics and that it was their all-consuming way of life. I therefore expected no less than 90-95% turn out today, even after allowing for people abroad etc.
But turn out seems to be no higher than a dismal 63.7 percent, meaning over 36% (more than 1 in 3) failed to vote, and yet this was still the highest turn out level since 1999???
Can anyone please explain?
It was 70.4%
Some Arabs and some Charedim dont vote
Arabs are part of that number, but Charedim vote in a higher proportion to the rest of the country.
The short answer is that it’s a voluntary activity, there are millions of Israelis, and in this election the topline result (a Bibi led government) was a virtual certainty the day the election was announced. Getting 70 percent is borderline miraculous.
Same reason many Americans don’t vote:
1. Don’t care
2. Not registered
3. Don’t care to register
4. Religious purposes
5. Illegal Aliens
6. Don’t have the means or transportation to get to the polls.
7. Sometimes bad weather
8. All of the above.
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