The I’s Have It
There’s no disputing that casting ballots via the Internet – iVoting* -- is a novel concept to hundreds of millions of voters throughout the world. But its popularity is growing, for a variety of reasons. Surveys of voters new to Internet elections in Australia and Western Europe indicate that voters prefer voting online to any other method, including on-site voting machines, which have been outlawed in many parts of the U.S.A. due to verification discrepancies.
But iVoting isn't intended to replace poll station voting. It is intended as a viable new alternative to increase accessibility to the voting process for a wide variety of citizens, including the disabled, the illiterate, those living or working abroad or in remote areas and for immigrant citizens who may need assistance in deciphering complicated ballot language not in their native tongue. An educated vote is a productive vote.
The benefits of Internet voting are legion -- for both voters and election administrators.
- Broader access for all voters, especially shift workers, overseas travelers, commuters, non-native language speakers and those with disabilities (who can now vote unaided).
- Enhanced convenience over poll station and snail mail balloting.
- Greater security and privacy.
- Faster turnaround from declaration of elections to the close of polls.
- Cost savings** of up to 50% over paper-based elections.
- Immediate results.
- Accuracy and Verifiability: The ability to export data for recounts on other systems.
- Customer Relationship Management***: Poll or survey any targeted electorate, be it association members, shareowners or citizens-at-large.