B.C. could soon be testing Internet voting after a formal request to try the idea received a verbal endorsement from the provincial government Monday. Elections B.C. wants permission to run pilot projects on online voting and other new technologies, chief electoral officer Keith Archer said in a report tabled in the legislature.
The independent elections agency wants the freedom to try new technologies and look at security issues, Archer said. “We want to have the mandate to at least have the exploration of this topic,” he said.
Elections B.C. released a discussion paper on the subject in September, concluding Internet voting could make it more convenient but also presents more security risks than in-person voting. “I love the idea,” said Attorney General Shirley Bond, who would be responsible for amending the Elections Act to accommodate Archer’s wishes.
“I’m currently working on how we will put in place an expert panel that will look at online voting in British Columbia.” Premier Christy Clark has also expressed support, said Bond, but the technology chosen needs to be safe and secure.
Full Article: Province backs online voting trials.