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Much of what we do these days is on the Internet.
We channel much of our communication online, using channels like social media,
instant messengers and e-mail. We manage our finances with various online tools
and we take care of our money with online banking. Depending on the
jurisdiction where you live, you might also be able to file your income tax
through a web portal. Why is it, then, that some governments still insist that
voters have to register in person when an online voter registration system
would be far more efficient and potentially far more effective in improving
overall voter turnout?
In January of this year, the Presidential
Commission on Election Administration in the United States of America put
together a report called The American Voting Experience where it
outlined some of its key findings for the electoral process in the country. It
also provided a number of key recommendations that could improve how Americans
vote in future elections, like reducing wait times at polling places.
The Commission calls to improve the accuracy of
registration rolls to expand access, prevent fraud and reduce administrative
costs. One of the key recommendations offered by the Commission to achieve
these goals is through the modernization of the registration process,
particularly when it comes to the “continued expansion of online voter
registration.”
A number of online registration tools are already
provided through the website of the Presidential Commission on Election
Administration and these are being recommended to the states to adopt for their
own online registration. Voters can then go through the process from the
convenience of their homes, going through the secure web portal to register for
upcoming elections. This saves a lot of time for administration, as all of the
necessary fields can already populate the database without the need for a data
entry clerk. This has been a problem for many states, as the traditional record
keeping system still utilizes “outdated paper-based registration systems
requiring data entry by government employees.”
The central database of voters can then be more
easily shared between other state agencies and potentially outside groups. When
a voter moves to a different residence, he can update the address himself
through the online portal to keep everything up to date. This has otherwise
been a problem for the paper-based system, which has led to much incorrect
information in the records.
Improved voter registration is the first step
toward improving overall voter turnout, which is absolutely crucial to the
democratic process. Online voter registration can increase overall numbers, as
evidenced in Arizona where registration rates “increased from 29 percent to 53
percent among voters aged 18 to 24 with the adoption of an online system.”
Voters with disabilities have improved access too, particularly those with
limited mobility.
What's
more, the lineups on Election Day can be shortened, as voters would have already
registered online ahead of time and clerks will have easier access to the
database. Security is also improved, as “clean” rolls minimize the
vulnerability to fraud. Online voter registration offers a plethora of
advantages and jurisdictions across the country and around the world should
give it some serious consideration.
