WorldBREAKING

Israel election turnout hits record high as voting continues

About 5.45 million of roughly 7.3 million eligible voters had cast ballots by eight p.m. local time; the highest turnout since records began.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 3:50 PM ET, Tuesday, October 27, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Israelis Surge to Polls With Nation’s Future on the Ballot”, with reporting from CNN, The New Arab and ANI via The Tribune.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 3:50 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Israel.
BBN covered this story before: Israel turnout hits record; Powerball at $716M; Swalwell raid (October 27).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesIsraelis Surge to Polls With Nation’s Future on the Ballot
CNNIsrael election latest: Record Israeli election turnout as Netanyahu fights to remain in power October 27, 2026 · facts used on air
The New ArabIsrael elections: High Arab turnout seeks to punish Netanyahu October 27, 2026 · facts used on air
ANI via The TribuneIsrael elections: Voter turnout hits historic 66.7% by 6 PM local time as Netanyahu and Eisenkot issue urgent late-day pleas to mobilise voters - The Tribune October 27, 2026 · facts used on air

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThis just in: Israelis are voting in record numbers.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTurnout reached seventy-four point three percent by eight p. m. local time, with two hours of voting left, and the Central Elections Committee says that is the highest since figures were first recorded in nineteen seventy-three.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe New York Times reports that turnout among Israeli Arabs hit a new high, and Arab citizens are roughly eighteen percent of eligible voters.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThat is analysis, but it suggests every vote in this race is being counted closely.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorPrime Minister Netanyahu called the Arab turnout unprecedented and urged Likud voters to get out. When the man in power says that, he is worried.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPolls are still open, and we will bring you updates as results come in.