On Monday evening, WebRoots Democracy hosted its first ever event as part of Parliament Week entitled “Swipe Right to Vote: Can #onlinevoting future-proof elections?” – a panel discussion with Chloe Smith MP, Amy Lamé, Smartmatic’s Mike Summers, #SwingTheVote Campaign Manager Rachel Stroud, and British Youth Council Chair Mita Desai.
The hour and a half discussion covered issues including the need for online voting, the challenges and benefits of the reform, the future of voting, and methods of ensuring it happens.
The event came in the wake of a report published last week by the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee which urged political parties to include a commitment in their manifestos to implement online voting by the 2020 General Election.
It also occurred after a Parliament Week Twitter chat at lunchtime with Meg Hillier MP on digital democracy in which the MP said in her opinion that in 18 years time, voting by paper and pencil will be a “distant memory“.
If you were unable to attend, here is a flavour of the points raised and issues discussed via the medium of Twitter. For more, see the #onlinevoting hashtag. We will also be uploading clips from the discussion to our YouTube channel.
Why do we need online voting?
“Young people are engaging in politics in different ways, and we need to keep up with that” says @amylame #onlinevoting — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
@amylame: people born after 1985 live in a digital age and we need an adequate response to the crisis of disengagement #onlinevoting
— Digital Democracy (@digidemocracyuk) November 17, 2014
“The question we should be asking is why isn’t the political process engaging with young people?” says @bycChair #onlinevoting — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
Having a paper based voting system doesn’t help with young peoples’ impression of politics as archaic, says @rachelstroud #onlinevoting — Josephine Suherman (@Jo_Suherman) November 17, 2014
“Crucially important to make political parties themselves relevant to the generation who are voting” says @ChloeSmithMP#onlinevoting — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
What are the benefits and challenges?
“#onlinevoting more secure than current postal votes” says @smartmatic — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
Young people want a safe place to discuss politics online says Mita Desai @bycLIVE #onlinevoting — Digital Democracy (@digidemocracyuk) November 17, 2014
“How do we get cross-party support for #onlinevoting?” asks Chair @AreeqChowdhury — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
“Need to put parties to one side and engage with the general public” says @ChloeSmithMP #onlinevoting — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
.@ChloeSmithMP says #onlinevoting is not a party political issue, but @amylame counters that it is, when only Labour supports it — Josephine Suherman (@Jo_Suherman) November 17, 2014
@digidemocracyuk @smartmatic we can pay taxes & apply for passports online, so surely technology is there to securely enable #onlinevoting
— Karl Belizaire (@khbelizaire) November 17, 2014
“Education crucial for all stakeholders to build trust in #onlinevoting system” says @smartmatic
— WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
What should voting look like in 2035?
“Will take at least 10 years to get #onlinevoting through UK system” says @ChloeSmithMP — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
“#onlinevoting inevitable but some polling stations will continue to exist” says @smartmatic — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
In 2035 voting may be more about issues and less about parties @bycLIVE Mita Desai #onlinevoting — Digital Democracy (@digidemocracyuk) November 17, 2014
“Hope that by 2035 #onlinevoting seems old fashioned” @amylame hopes we will use #onlinevoting by 2020 — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
.@smartmatic says Estonia has had #onlinevoting in 7 elections since 2005 & digital turnout has increased while paper voting down
— Afzal (@rahman_afzal) November 17, 2014
How can we make it happen?
“We should be trialling #onlinevoting by the 2016 local elections” says @smartmatic
— WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
RT @WebRootsUK: We need a realistic target date to work towards for #onlinevoting just as Estonia did @Parliament_Week — Parliament Week (@Parliament_Week) November 17, 2014
Once online voting is introduced, take up would increase gradually says @ChloeSmithMP#onlinevoting — Digital Democracy (@digidemocracyuk) November 17, 2014
Q&A
We’ve opened up to the floor now at our @Parliament_Week event, get asking your questions- we have chocolate! #onlinevoting
— WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
.@chloesmithMP and @smartmatic discussing how #onlinevoting increases accessibility for some disabled people
— Josephine Suherman (@Jo_Suherman) November 17, 2014
“Technology can increase the security and transparency of the voting process” says @smartmatic #onlinevoting — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
“Many postal votes do not actually get counted” says @amylame#onlinevoting — WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
Closing tweets
Thanks for your participation in tonight’s #onlinevoting debate. Be sure to introduce yourselves to our panel during the networking session
— WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 17, 2014
@amylame it was very good to meet you tonight at the #onlinevoting debate
— Carolina Gasparoli (@c_gasparoli) November 17, 2014
Fascinating evening with @WebRootsUK on the future of #onlinevoting. Depressed at slow rate of change/uptake though. pic.twitter.com/SuvurenrwP
— Helen Lawrence (@helenium) November 17, 2014
Had a great time talking about #onlinevoting at @WebRootsUK debate tonight – lots of great insights & interesting questions.
— rachel stroud (@rachelstroud) November 17, 2014
#onlinevoting debaters w/ @WebRootsUK do add your views to this consultation on #VoterReform http://t.co/yvGGtARY1s
— Parliament Week (@Parliament_Week) November 17, 2014
Was very fired up by tonight’s meeting organised by @WebRootsUK on electronic voting. Find ways to help and keep motivated are next 2 goals.
— David Groves (@pumplekin) November 17, 2014
Thanks to all who came last night & to our great panel! @ChloeSmithMP@amylame@smartmatic@rachelstroud@bycChair 😀 pic.twitter.com/pHuBzXBguu
— WebRoots Democracy (@WebRootsUK) November 18, 2014
Do you think the UK should introduce an online voting option for elections? Let us know here.
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