As Israel prepares for its 2026 elections, the Central Elections Committee (CEC) faces new challenges stemming from advances in artificial intelligence and digital disinformation, even as the core voting process remains rooted in traditional, paper-based methods. Dean Livne, acting director general of the CEC, emphasized that while technological developments have surged since the last election in November 2022, the fundamental mechanics of voting remain deliberately analog to preserve electoral integrity.

Voters in Israel continue to cast paper ballots by marking them physically and depositing them into ballot boxes. These ballots undergo multiple layers of verification to ensure accuracy and prevent manipulation. Once voting concludes, results are recorded manually at local polling stations in signed protocols, with the entire process documented on video. These materials are then transported to regional election committees where a judge verifies the consistency of the vote counts against the number of voters, marking a critical step in the multilayered validation process. Following this judicial review, validated data is uploaded to the CEC’s central system, which is securely isolated from the internet and protected by military-grade cybersecurity measures.

Livne noted the publication of handwritten protocols alongside official results enables public scrutiny, allowing comparisons between physical documents and electronic tallies to foster transparency. He asserted that altering digital data alone would not change the actual vote due to the comprehensive paper trail, which also facilitates prompt investigation of any fraud allegations. The committee deploys large teams of legal experts post-election to address claims, drawing on preserved ballot boxes, protocols, and supporting documentation to swiftly verify or dismiss accusations. Livne expressed strong confidence that attempts to rig the elections on a systemic level are virtually impossible.

While the physical voting procedure remains resistant to electronic interference, the information environment surrounding the election has evolved significantly. The CEC has responded to the proliferation of generative AI and deepfake technologies by updating election laws to mandate labeling of AI-generated or manipulated campaign content. Livne highlighted concerns over realistic fabricated videos, especially those depicting politicians making false statements, and the committee’s efforts to increase voter skepticism toward online information. The CEC maintains active collaboration with major digital platforms, as well as security agencies such as Shin Bet, the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Police, and the Prime Minister’s Office, to identify and counteract misleading content.

Although the committee refrains from commenting on specific foreign threats, Livne confirmed close coordination with national security entities to protect the broader electoral environment. Unlike many countries, Israel’s straightforward party-list voting system simplifies the paper-based approach, facilitating both ease of vote casting and verification.

Despite these safeguards, Livne acknowledged that the most significant threats to Israel’s elections may not target the ballot box itself but rather the information voters consume ahead of casting their votes. “The ballot box may still look much the same as it did in previous elections, yet the information reaching the person carrying the ballot there is changing rapidly,” he said. The growing challenge lies in combating sophisticated disinformation campaigns that can influence voter perceptions long before polling stations open.