The Jerusalem Post reports that 595,000 Israelis are expected to vote for the first time in the 2026 elections, accounting for roughly 8.7% of all eligible voters. The figure represents the largest wave of first-time voters since the establishment of the state.
The report, published Thursday, cites data indicating that 595,000 first-time voters — equivalent to about 8.7% of the electorate — are expected to cast ballots in the 2026 Knesset elections. This surpasses previous records and reflects the demographic growth of Israel's population, particularly among younger cohorts.
A prior analysis by the Geplanet series, reported by The Zioneer in June, projected 500,000–700,000 first-time voters, with about 75% of voters aged 18–22 leaning to the right. The new figure of 595,000 sits within that range and provides a more precise estimate as the election campaign progresses.
The 2026 election is scheduled for October 27, with the government completing its full four-year term for the first time since the 1990s. The surge in young voters could reshape the political landscape, particularly if the right-leaning trend among first-time voters holds.
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