electoral reform

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a conference of his Likud party in Ramat Gan, March 4, 2019. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

June 27, 2019, 4:50 am

Everybody complains about Israel’s electoral system. But it works

Especially after this year’s political shenanigans, the chaotic, tribal electoral system gets a bad rap; it is also the source of Israel’s strength, solidarity and democracy

By Haviv Rettig Gur

Followers of Iraq's influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr chant slogans as they wave national flags during a demonstration against corruption in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 (AP/Karim Kadim)

February 11, 2017, 4:11 pm

Policeman killed, dozens hurt in Baghdad anti-government protests

Security forces use live fire, tear gas to disperse crowds in Iraqi capital as al-Sadr loyalists demand election reform

By Qassim Abdul-Zahra

US President-elect Donald Trump speaks at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina on December 6, 2016. (AFP/TIMOTHY A. CLARY)

December 18, 2016, 6:08 pm

Electoral College, archaic and unloved, set to anoint Trump

Institution the president-elect once called ‘a disaster for a democracy’ is all but certain to select him on Monday

By Jerome Cartillier

Hillary Clinton, holding hands with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, waves to a crowd outside a New York hotel as she arrives to speak to her staff and supporters after losing the race for the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

November 13, 2016, 2:17 am

Clinton’s popular vote lead sparks some calls for reform

Outsized influence of battleground states raises ‘the question of how democratic our system is,’ says one expert

By Anne Renaut

In this Oct. 12, 2016 photo, stickers available for voters are seen at the Hamilton County Board of Elections in Cincinnati, Ohio, as early voting begins statewide. (AP/John Minchillo)

October 30, 2016, 3:30 am

The election’s just beginning on Election Day

America’s complicated, and some say convoluted, Electoral College process will only officially pick the president on Jan. 6

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog (L), with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2013. (Kobi Gideon/Flash90)

March 9, 2015, 10:05 am

Poll shows most Jewish Israelis against unity government

Rumors continue to emerge about a possible pact between rivals Netanyahu and Herzog, but the idea is not popular

By Lazar Berman

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the president's residence in Jerusalem, September 22, 2014 (photo credit: Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

March 8, 2015, 11:02 pm

In case of election tie, president set to push unity government

Rivlin reportedly wants two major parties to partner, advance legislation on electoral reform, if there is no clear winner on March 17

By Avi Lewis

Leaders of the Likud at a party conference in Tel Aviv, January 5, 2015 (photo credit: Gili Yaari/Flash90)

January 5, 2015, 9:38 pm

Netanyahu derides Herzog, Livni as too weak to protect Israel

At event to introduce Likud’s Knesset list, PM also promises reforms to guarantee 4-year governments, stabilize Israeli politics

By Lazar Berman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset during a vote on a bill to dissolve the parliament, on December 8, 2014. (photo credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 5, 2015, 6:46 pm

Netanyahu seeks reforms to stabilize Israeli governance

At Likud event, PM to announce initiative to change situation wherein average government serves less than half its allotted term

By Haviv Rettig Gur

An Israeli Arab casts his vote in the Knesset elections in the northern town of Umm al-Fahm, February 10, 2009. (Photo credit: Herzl Shapira / FLASH90)

October 12, 2014, 2:22 pm

Facing extinction, Israel’s Arab parties move toward unity… and growth

A raised Knesset ‘threshold’ means all three Arab parties could disappear in the next elections. But running together, they could win unprecedented support. Their leaders are doing the math

By Haviv Rettig Gur

Illustrative photo of the Knesset plenum in session, July 29, 2013 (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

March 7, 2014, 12:17 pm

Knesset schedules marathon votes next week on key bills

In just four days, lawmakers to debate and cast final votes on Haredi draft, electoral threshold, peace referendum

By Haviv Rettig Gur

MK Meir Sheetrit (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

August 8, 2013, 12:40 pm

Hatnua demands that electoral threshold rise be gradual

Party’s call for a two-stage hike, to 3% and then 4% across separate elections, pits it against larger coalition partners

By Haviv Rettig Gur

Balad Member of Knesset Jamal Zahalke gesticulates while addressing the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem, July 31, 2013. (Credit: Flash90)

August 1, 2013, 5:30 pm

For Arab voters, a boon in disguise

Why a government plan to increase the electoral threshold, blasted as ‘racist’ by Arab parties, might be the best news Israel’s Arab citizens have heard in a long time

By Haviv Rettig Gur

Ahmad Tibi addresses the Knesset on May 21, 2012. (photo credit: Uri Lenz/Flash90)

July 29, 2013, 3:24 am

Knesset committee votes to raise electoral threshold to 4%

Opposition’s Arab and ultra-Orthodox parties attack proposal, saying it’s hypocritical and anti-democratic

By Michal Shmulovich and Asher Zeiger

July 14, 2013, 2:41 pm

Major electoral reform bill delayed by Hatnua concerns

Party’s faction chair objects to clauses that would make it harder to topple sitting government, saying, ‘What’s so urgent?’

By Haviv Rettig Gur