Online voting enables voters to cast their votes from any internet access point, and is considered the most advanced form of e-voting (Dixon, 2002: 2). Online voting can generate two forms of democracy – the ‘populist democracy’ model and the ‘Athenian (or strong) democracy’ model.
The populist democracy model is the current system of parliamentary democracy, where voting is conducted during an election, except citizens can vote online (Dixon, 2001: 2).
America has experimented with e-voting, after the confusion and uncertainty associated with the widely differing voting regimes in America employed by each county in the 2000 Presidential election (Dixon, 2002: 15). Consequently, the (Help America Vote Act (2002)) was passed by the United States federal congress (O’Brien, 2004). Section 242 of the Help America Vote Act (2002) created a committee to investigate the use of internet voting for those military personnel overseas who wished to vote, which was subsequently adopted (Dixon, 20021: 3). Section 245(2)(b) authorises the committee to investigate
The Arizona Democratic Party nominations of 2001 were the first binding election committed over the internet (Dixon, 2001: 3). Over a period of four days, voters were able to cast their votes for their candidates (Dixon, 2001: 3). There was an increase in voting from 1.46% to 10.56%, and almost half of votes cast were made over the Internet (Dixon, 2001: 4). Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) were sent to voters by mail, which they then used to log onto the site, and after their choice was made, a pop-up window was shown to finalise their vote (Dixon, 2001: 4). There were both benefits and concerns and security from this online election.
Athenian democracy would create a direct democracy, where referendums would decide every major issue (Stockwell, 2001: 91). This form of e-democracy is based on the principles of the Athenian democracy, where votes were conducted on every major issue facing their society (Stockwell, 2001: 91). Athenian democracy was said to create a sprit of ‘communal pride’, as each voter had the same stake and power in each community decision (Stockwell, 2001: 92).
The logistical difficulties of having referendums on every issue ruled out their possibility of occurring (Stockwell, 2001: 92). However, the Athenian democracy model could hold referendums online (Bishopo, Kane, Patapan, 2002: 62). The technology can allow “direct rule of the people by the people� (Bishop, Kane, Patapan, 2002: 62).
The Queensland Government’s policy framework paper specifically rejects any suggestion that the system will be altered to include online referendums:
“The Government seeks to increase opportunities for Queenslanders to interact with their Government, without diminishing the value of the parliamentary process. It does not seek to introduce an altogether different model of participatory of direct democracy.� (Queensland Government, 2001: 2)
Ben Fraser 19:08, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
Bishop, Kane, Patapan (2002) 'E-Democracy: Challenges to Democratic Theory ' Australian Parliamentary Review, vol 17(2) pp 55-68
7.30 Report, (2004, October 24) Presented by Kerry O’Brien. Brisbane: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. [Video recording: VHS]
Dixon, N (2001) E-Voting: Elections via the Internet? [Online] Available at: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Parlib/Publications_pdfs/books/rbr0101nd.pdf. [Accessed 11 August 2004]
Franke-Ruta, G., (2003) ‘Virtual Politics: How the Internet is Transforming Democracy’, The American Prospect [online], vol 14, no 9, pp A6-A8. Available: Informit database. [Accessed 7 August 2004]
Mercurio, B (2003) ‘Overhauling Australian Democracy: The Benefits and Burdens of Internet Voting’ University of Tasmania Law Review, vol 21(2) pp23-65 [Online]. Available through the Informit database. [Accessed 7 August 2004]
Stockwell, S,. (2001) ‘Hacking Democracy: the work of the Global Citizen’ Southern Review [Online], vol 34 no 3 pp 87-103. Available: Informit database [Accessed 7 August 2004]
Queensland Government (2001) E-democracy Policy Framework [Online]. Available: http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/community/publications/documents/pdf/edemocracypolicyframework.pdf [Accessed 11 August 2004]
For more information on these sources, see the Annotated Bibliography
Ben Fraser 10:26, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
Ben Fraser 13:06, 26 Oct 2004 (EST)
