In the election's aftermath, the search for a better voting system is on. Despite potential flaws, Internet voting will eventually prove to be the best way to ensure the accuracy and fairness of elections. To restore public faith in American democracy, Congress should start phasing in an online system now.
Today's vote-tabulation systems simply cannot be trusted to decide close elections. This fact, now widely understood, has made a disinterested electorate even more cynical. To prevent a further decline in voter turnout, the margin of error in federal elections must be substantially reduced by a new mechanism the public trusts.
Existing Internet voting systems, which are simple and straightforward, could accomplish this goal. Using computers stationed at home, work, or in polling places, voters log on using a personal identification number. They then click on markers denoting their candidate of choice. Finally, the system asks them to verify their ballot before forwarding it to central computers. Tabulation, freed from paper ballots and vote-counting machines, is automatic, accurate, and fair.
Recent tests have revealed another benefit: increased voter participation. For example, when Arizona used online voting in its most recent democratic primary, turnout more than doubled. Participation was particularly high among technology-savvy 18-34 year olds, who usually keep silent on Election Day.
Despite this benefit, critics accurately point out that Internet systems face several hurdles. Fraud and security are the biggest concerns. Without face to-face contact, it remains difficult to verify voters' identities; theoretically, a single person could buy up and cast large numbers of votes.
Hackers pose a more troubling threat. According to California's Internet Voting Task Force, insecure computers could be secretly infected with election-altering viruses. These programs could automatically change and transmit individual ballots without the voter's knowledge. Online voting could also be hampered by civic concerns.
Internet-driven participation increases could negatively effect the demographics of the voting populations. Minorities and the poor are far less likely to have Internet access. As the Virginia-based Voting Integrity Project has argued, Internet voting could, therefore, give an unfair advantage to affluent citizens; higher turnout by wealthier voters could dilute the importance of minority votes.
These problems, however, can be solved over time. Digital signature technology could be employed to verify identities. Internet security systems already safeguard trillions of dollars in financial transactions, and similar structures can be designed to protect votes. The digital divide is shrinking rapidly- one Congressional study estimates that 80% of Americans will have Internet access by 2004.
Since the common denominator among these problems is distance, the logical solution is to employ an incremental approach that initially eliminates this factor. Federal legislators should act now to promote such an approach. Though Congress cannot impose uniform voting standards, it can - and should - quickly declare support for online voting, give states incentives to establish the necessary technological infrastructure, and provide suggested implementation guidelines. These should be centered around a two-step process.
Phase one would replace ballot boxes with computer terminals, but limit Internet voting to official polling places. This would circumvent the distance-related problems, ensuring safety and equity by limiting voting to official, secure computers. It also would allow the public to become familiar with the new process. After being tested in the 2002 congressional elections, the new system could be fully operational by the 2004 Presidential contest.
The goal of phase two would be unlimited Internet voting by 2008. Even the most conservative estimates suggest that Internet access will be nearly ubiquitous by then. And eight years is more than enough time to devise secure systems.
If Congress follows this plan, it can begin leading America out of its post election quagmire. Internet voting would ensure higher levels of accuracy and fairness. By tapping into the current technology-based optimism, it would help reinvigorate public confidence in American democracy. And it could ultimately facilitate a more active voting public this country sorely needs. Failure to capitalize on this opportunity would not only contribute to the public's cynicism. It would justify it.
*Justin Matlick is a Senior Fellow in Information Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. To learn more about PRI and the Center for Freedom and Technology, see www.pacificresearch.org.
