Weekly Commentary: Streamlining Israeli Election System Without Disenfranchising Voters

Weekly Commentary: Streamlining Israeli Election System Without
Disenfranchising Voters
Dr. Aaron Lerner 26 October 2019

We waste far too much time forming governments in Israel.

Here is a proposal that streamlines our elections and party system without
disenfranchising voters:

#1. Only lists which receive at least 5% of valid votes (vote threshold)
enter the Knesset. That’s a 6 seat minimum.

#2. Up to 7 days before election day a list may unilaterally declare what
other list will receive their votes should the list fail to pass the 5% vote
threshold.

#3. When the newly elected Knesset convenes it has 14 business days to
choose, via a voting majority of 61, the MK to attempt to form a government.
If the period passes without an MK chosen new elections are set for 60
business days from then.

#4. The chosen MK has 7 business days to form a government and have it
approved by a voting majority of 61 MKS.

#5. If the first chosen MK fails to form a government, the Knesset has
another 7 business days to choose, via a voting majority of 61, a different
MK to attempt to form a government. If the period passes without an MK
chosen new elections are set for 60 business days from then.

#6. The second chosen MK has 7 business days to form a government and have
it approved by a voting majority of 61 MKS.

#7. Should the second chosen MK fail to form a government within that time,
new elections are set 60 business days from then.

The proposed system strips the process of time consuming photo ops and
ceremonies while giving more than enough time for serious coalition
building.

The 5% vote threshold would expedite the formation of a government by
significantly reducing the number of factions participating in the
post-election process.

At the same time, the provision that lists may unilaterally declare what
other list will receive their votes should the list fail to pass the 5% vote
threshold provides voters the opportunity to express their support for their
top choice without risking wasting their votes. The provision also
guarantees that the Knesset reflects, as closely as possible, the will of
the voters.
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