In the evolving landscape of election technology, the Northwest Territories (NWT) in Canada offers a compelling case study in how online voting can enhance participation and accessibility—especially in remote regions. A recent study by Nicole Goodman, Helen Hayes, and Stephen Dunbar sheds light on how the NWT’s use of online voting for absentee voters in its 2023 territorial election successfully engaged citizens who might have otherwise been left out of the democratic process.
The NWT, a vast and sparsely populated region, faces significant logistical challenges in delivering traditional voting services. With 33 communities spread over 1.3 million square kilometers—and a third of them without permanent roads—many are accessible only by air, river transport, or ice roads in winter. Extreme weather conditions and unreliable postal services further complicate election delivery. These realities make alternatives to in-person and mail-in voting not just convenient but essential.
By offering online ballots to absentee voters, Elections NWT provided a critical channel for participation, particularly during a year marked by unprecedented wildfires that displaced 70% of the territory’s population.
The study revealed that 42.8% of online voters in the Northwest Territories reported they would not have voted if the online option had not been available. This number climbed to over 128% among voters outside Yellowknife, highlighting the platform’s importance in ensuring representation for rural and displaced voters.
Interestingly, the study found that NWT online voters were digitally capable: 100% reported having home internet access, and 99.4% used the internet daily, compared to 94.8% of Ontario municipal voters in a comparative sample. In fact, 66.1% of NWT respondents rated their internet skills as ‘very good’, showing that online voting appeals to a confident and connected demographic—even in remote areas.
While some might worry that such a system could exclude less tech-savvy individuals, Elections NWT’s hybrid approach—offering both mail and online ballots—ensures broad accessibility. And in a territory where Canada Post doesn’t guarantee delivery times, the speed and reliability of online voting becomes a powerful equalizer.
Voters overwhelmingly endorsed the process, with 96.4% expressing high or moderate satisfaction with the online voting experience, and an impressive 98.2% indicating they would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ recommend it to others. This aligns with broader global trends, where voters increasingly seek flexible, secure, and accessible ways to participate in elections.
The NWT’s experience demonstrates how technology, when thoughtfully deployed, can bolster—not hinder—electoral integrity. By reducing barriers and expanding options, online voting offers a vital complement to traditional methods. For election officials across Canada and beyond, the message is clear: online voting isn’t just a futuristic idea—it’s a practical, proven tool to strengthen democracy today.