In some cases the failure to vote is intentional -- sort of an expression of dislike for "all of the above". In other cases it is the reverse -- something akin to "they're all fine - you choose".
But often the failure to vote comes from the difficulty of voting. It may seem easy enough for some but for, say, a working parent with young children, getting to work, daycare, home and then free time to vote is not so easy. That's probably why retired people vote at a much higher rate -- they have the time to vote.
That's why the idea of internet voting, one of several concepts raised by Rocco Rossi this week, is so exciting. The objection of security is groundless in the world of secure e-commerce. Let's try it at the municipal level and then expand to Provincial and then Federal levels.
2 comments:
You are wrong to say that because of secure e-commerce, secure e-voting can be made to work. There are logical differences between e-voting and other kinds of online transactions.
In the last census, it was possible to respond via the internet, which I did. I got a phone call a few days later asking why I hadn't filled in my census, and I told them that I had, and the time that I had, and if they offered the opportunity to respond via the internet, it had better *&%$%^ work, and if it didn't, it certainly wasn't my problem.
HOWEVER, the same cannot be said of my vote disappearing. AND with banking via internet, I download my statement and check them against my receipts. How do I check my vote? It would be convenient, but its not secure enough. I look to the US at their voting machines and I am filled with repugnance that something so important as a vote could be dealt with in such a sloppy fashion.
I'm busy, so I start looking for the first advanced poll I can in order to find a time. There are lots and lots of opportunities. I would rather see mail-in votes on paper for shut-ins and handicapped than internet voting.
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