Why Don't We Vote Online in Elections? - TLDR Explains

Summary

This video explores Estonia's pioneering use of online voting, a system that has been in place since 2007. While other countries have experimented with electronic voting, Estonia is the only one to implement it for all elections, enabling citizens to vote from anywhere via secure digital IDs. The system is celebrated for increasing voter turnout, particularly among busy or disabled individuals. However, concerns about security and manipulation persist, with experts highlighting potential vulnerabilities. Despite these challenges, Estonia’s success has sparked interest in blockchain-based voting solutions, though its widespread adoption remains uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Estonia is the only country in the world that uses i-voting for all elections, starting with the 2007 parliamentary elections.
• 😀 i-voting in Estonia is enabled by smart ID cards, allowing voters to cast their votes securely online via mobile or desktop devices.
• 😀 Initially, only 3.4% of votes were cast online in Estonia in 2007, but by 2023, 44% of votes were cast electronically.
• 😀 One of the main advantages of i-voting is that it increases voter accessibility, particularly for people with disabilities or those who can't take time off work.
• 😀 The system allows voters to change their vote online before the final deadline, ensuring a flexible and secure voting process.
• 😀 i-voting helps reduce absenteeism and saves time, with the 2023 election saving 11,000 workdays by making voting more convenient.
• 😀 Despite the benefits, security concerns remain, especially with the potential for cyberattacks, although Estonia's system is heavily monitored and has not faced significant problems.
• 😀 Online voting has yet to be widely adopted outside of Estonia, as countries like Norway discontinued trials due to security and trust issues.
• 😀 Blockchain technology holds promise for future online voting systems, as it could offer more secure methods of voting, with countries like Australia, Russia, and South Korea exploring its use.
• 😀 The success of i-voting in Estonia is partly due to the country's small size, tech-savvy population, and well-established trust in government systems.

Q & A

What is internet voting, and how does it differ from electronic voting?

Internet voting allows citizens to cast their votes online via the internet, without having to go to a polling station. It differs from electronic voting, which typically involves voting through electronic systems at physical polling stations (e.g., using electronic voting machines).

When did Estonia first use internet voting, and why is it significant?

Estonia first used internet voting in 2005 during local municipal elections. It became the first country to implement online voting in a national parliamentary election in 2007. This is significant because Estonia was the first to fully embrace the concept, setting a global precedent.

What technological infrastructure does Estonia use to enable internet voting?

Estonia uses smart ID cards, which not only serve as identification but also carry a unique digital signature. This digital signature allows voters to securely cast their vote online. The process has been made more accessible with a mobile app called Mobile ID, which eliminates the need for a special card reader.

What percentage of Estonian voters participated in online voting during the 2023 parliamentary elections?

In the 2023 parliamentary elections, 44% of voters in Estonia cast their votes electronically through internet voting.

What are the benefits of online voting as demonstrated by Estonia's system?

The benefits include increased accessibility for people with disabilities, convenience for those who can't take time off work, and higher voter turnout. Additionally, online voting saved an estimated 11,000 workdays in the 2023 election, as people could vote without missing work.

What measures does Estonia take to ensure the security and anonymity of online voting?

Estonia ensures security by using robust encryption and separating personal identity features from votes, so there is no way to link a voter to their vote. Voters can also change their vote up until the deadline, preventing coercion or manipulation.

What challenges or concerns have been raised regarding internet voting in Estonia?

Some concerns include the potential for cyberattacks and the challenge of maintaining voter anonymity in an online environment. While Estonia's system has been deemed secure by the government, independent groups have raised concerns about vulnerabilities in the software.

Why hasn't internet voting been adopted widely outside of Estonia?

Other countries have been hesitant to adopt internet voting due to concerns over security, the complexity of replicating Estonia's unique technological infrastructure, and a lack of public trust in online systems. Additionally, other countries may not be as technologically advanced or may face more significant political challenges.

How does Estonia manage the risks associated with online voting?

Estonia manages risks by closely monitoring the software and the voting process. They have observers for online voting, just as there are observers for physical voting. This transparency helps ensure that any potential issues are detected and addressed quickly.

What role might blockchain technology play in the future of online voting?

Blockchain technology could increase the security of online voting by providing a transparent and tamper-proof system for recording votes. Countries like Australia, Russia, and South Korea are exploring blockchain-based voting systems, though it remains to be seen whether these systems will be successfully implemented.