Edmonton should allow Internet voting so residents can cast ballots online in the next municipal election, according to Councilman Andrew Knack.
A presentation to a 17-member citizen jury unanimously backed the proposal. The citizen jury heard evidence from witnesses, including technical experts, municipal administrators, and scholars. The jury considered public concerns about internet voting before delivering its verdict.
Internet voting would not replace any current method of voting. It will expand the existing tool set. Citizens will be also able to vote at polling stations. Knack said he’d bring in the change only for advance polls and possibly inside polling stations so visually impaired people could pick candidates by themselves rather than needing assistance.
Knack expects the cost of i-voting to be minimal and the benefits large. He pointed out that 97 Ontario municipalities used online voting in last month’s municipal elections, and so far there’s no proof of security breaches.
Only about 34.5 % of eligible voters took part in Edmonton’s October 2013 election. Whether or not internet voting would improve this situation, Knack said it’s the way of the future.
Source:http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Edmonton+should+consider+Internet+voting+2017+councillor+says/10409047/story.html. http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/2012-jellybean-internet-voting-election-public-involvement.aspx