I know some have purposed online voting in federal elections in Canada. Elections Canada has even toyed with the idea.
I for one never want to see online voting for the simple reason, voter fraud. Even with extra security measures I can see the system possibly being hacked to rig an election. I don't want voting machines either like they have in the US which has been rife with problems. Some without a paper trail.
I like the paper ballot the best. Is it perfect probably not but at least there is a paper trail. At least having to get off your behind and go to polling station is a real motivator cause you have make an effort.
Brian Lilley has a good summation on online voting.
After many years in the IT business as a developer, engineering manager and network security consultant I vote NO! First, there is no way that an electronic voting system can be made absolutely hacker-proof, but second, and more importantly, it is trivially easy for someone on the inside, i.e. Elections Canada or the software vendor, to fix an election in a manner that would be very difficult to detect.
ReplyDeleteWhat we use now works fine. If people don't have the energy or interest to get off their butt, go to the polls and vote, they probably have not educated themselves enough to make their vote worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not - this would be an open invitation for hacking and vote manipulation. The Canadian system works - why mess with what is not broken - or do these advocates want the chaos and corruption that comes with computer fraud - off shore voting through IT companies that have been bought and paid for by party backroom shenanigans - if you need votes, sell your platform and get your people out to vote. Enough already!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the comments, well said. Too much of a chance for fraud.
ReplyDeleteoldwhiteguy says........I am with frmgrl. if it ain't broke don't fix it.
ReplyDeleteI think its technically possible with cryptography now, but this would be the very last implementation of it. the risk is just too high. Let's try it in less critical areas like a book clubs and things like that first and then move up to shareholders votes.
ReplyDeleteI reject all arguments that voting should be made easier.With advance polls open polls for many hours, there is ample opportunity for qualified citizens to vote.Individual effort and self discipline is all that is required now,what advantages would accrue to on line voting?
ReplyDeleteThat's right. With the advance polls and such there is absolutely no excuse not to get off your butt and go to your polling station and cast your ballot. It's so easy. Just make sure you have the proper ID well before you go.
Deleteit's pretty sad when we live in a world where the old school video rental store has more secure and detailed information about me then erections Canada. Any system they would look at would most likely require a sin number or other equally juicy info to register... just too big a target for the groups who hack places like Target or similar businesses... a new grey market industry on Canadian identity theft would explode into being overnight.
ReplyDeleteif they want secure software go to an online gaming software development company... they've got the best security out there but even they get hacked from time to time
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't trust it...too much opportunity for fraud on who's actually doing the voting. Also, look at the mess in the voting for the NDP Leader, in their leadership voting, when there were computer glitches in that one. I like it just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember that fiasco during the voting in NDP leadership race. Like wasn`t there some accusations of hacking in that case and I think I remember it went down for a period of time.
DeleteLike I`ve said before, if ain`t broke, don`t fix it.
Am adamantly against internet voting - too much room for fraud, not to mention backroom manipulation. However, the current system - as publicized - is very inflexible and disenfranchises a lot of Canadians who must travel for business or education.
ReplyDeleteHave done a google search, and there are apparently a lot more options than just advance polls and election day. Unfortunately, they're not well publicized. Am advising family members who would otherwise, because of conference schedules, be disenfranchised.
Am adamantly against internet voting - too much room for fraud, not to mention backroom manipulation. However, the current system - as publicized - is very inflexible and disenfranchises a lot of Canadians who must travel for business or education.
ReplyDeleteHave done a google search, and there are apparently a lot more options than just advance polls and election day. Unfortunately, they're not well publicized. Am advising family members who would otherwise, because of conference schedules, be disenfranchised.