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Much of the discussion surrounding the use
of e-voting technology necessarily focuses on the actual electronic equipment
being used. There are a variety of different direct-recording electronic (DRE)
voting machines, some of which are equipped with touchscreen monitors. Debates
on e-voting also discuss how the votes are being recorded, how they are being
transmitted and how they are being tabulated. However, there is another large
component to electronic voting technologies that is not completely digital.
A paper trail can be positively invaluable
during electoral processes. Opponents to e-voting technology oftentimes cite
the apparent lack of transparency and accountability with digital records and
digital transmissions, as the data can potentially be corrupted or tampered
with. By having the paper trail as backup, acting as proof of the legitimate
ballots being cast and the votes being properly counted, there is a better
sense of accountability. The digital records can be checked against their paper
counterparts to ensure that there are no inconsistencies or discrepancies.
Indeed, the Supreme Court in India has
ruled that the country's Election Commission must
introduce a paper backup of all votes cast via electronic voting machines.
The primary argument is that a running paper record of all the ballots being
cast can then be used to verify the digital votes in the case of an audit. This
wouldn't necessarily defend the system against being hacked, but it would mean
that even if the digital record were compromised, the paper record could be
confirmed.
The India Supreme Court ruled that such a
paper trail would be an “indispensable requirement of free and fair elections.”
Since the roll-out of such technology can be complex, the Court is allowing the
Election Commission to introduce a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail system in
“gradual stages” throughout the country, starting with general elections in
2014. Electronic voting machines were first tested in India in 1982 and gained
large scale deployment in the 2004 general election, processing over one
million ballots.
While a paper audit trail can improve
transparency, accountability and fidelity of elections, not all electoral
bodies feel the same way about their use. The November 2013 municipal election
in New Hanover County in North Carolina, USA abandoned
paper ballots altogether. Part of the motivation was for the streamlining
of data and communication, but the county also saved an estimated $20,000 by
not printing or using any traditional paper ballots.
Indeed, the New Hanover County election is
one of the most digital to date. Candidates submitted their financial reports
digitally, voter registration took place on computers without paper forms, and
only direct-recording electronic voting machines were used for casting ballots.
This followed in the example set by neighbouring Brunswick County where paper
ballots have not been used since 2006, with the exception of votes cast by
mail-in absentees. Pender County also only used DRE machines in its November
election.
When an election is run in a fully
electronic and digital manner, extra safeguards must be put in place to
maintain the security and integrity of the results. While some may argue that a
paper trail is not necessary, as appeared to be the case in North Carolina, a
voter verifiable paper record to backup the original digitally-cast votes may
be in the best interest of voters. This way, there have the efficiency and
flexibility that comes with an automated voting platform, while ensuring the transparency
and verifiability of results.
