Ballot letters

Israel

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An Yisrael Beiteinu ballot letter from the 2009 election. The letter, lamed (ל, "l") is for party chairman Avigdor Lieberman.

A Shas party ballot, also from the 2009 election. The letters, shin-samech (שס, "Sh-S") is the spelling of the party's name.

A tray of the ballot papers, one for each party, with the ballot letters clearly visible (2009 election).

In the Israel electoral system, ballot letters are the one to three letter symbol that is written largely on the paper ballot to indicate the party. It is part of Israel's balloting method. Each party must register its chosen letters with the Israeli Central Elections Committee, and certain letters are reserved permanently. If a new party wishes to use letters from an older party, it must receive permission from that party. Example of reserved letters are Het for Likud and Shin for Shas.

Overview

Containing minimal information, the ballot is dominated by the "ballot letter(s)" of the party, and it also contains the party name and sometimes a slogan written underneath in small text (see the picture below). Each party publicises their letter prior to election day, with most election posters featuring them. As many political parties in Israel are known by their acronyms, several parties can spell out their name in two or three letter, and thus use their name as their ballot letters (e.g. Meretz and Hetz). Others spell out a specific phrase on their ballot.

On election day, and upon entry to a polling station, the voter is given an official envelope, and shown to a voting booth. Inside the booth is a tray of ballot papers, one for each party. The voter chooses the relevant paper for their party, puts it in the envelope, seals it, and then places the envelope into the ballot box.

Parties use the equivalent letters in both official languages, Arabic and Hebrew; for instance Kadima use כן (Kaph-Nun) in Hebrew and ﻙﻥ (also Kaph-Nun) in Arabic. Because the Arabic alphabet shares a common source with the Hebrew (the Aramaic alphabet), each Hebrew letter has a perfectly corresponding Arabic one, facilitating this system. The system has the advantage of being incredibly simple to use for those with limited literacy. This is especially important in Israel where many new immigrants struggle with the language, especially reading and writing (as Hebrew uses a unique alphabet), and there are also relatively high illiteracy rates amongst the Bedouin.

Letters

2009

The following (Hebrew) ballot letters were used in the 2009 election:

2006

The following (Hebrew) ballot letters were used in the 2006 election:

2003

The following (Hebrew) ballot letters were used in the 2003 election:

See here (Hebrew)

Historical

The following ballot letters were used by historical parties or in previous elections:

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See also

• Elections in Israel