After low voter turnout across the country in last Saturday's local government election, it surely must be time we started agitating for online voting.
It makes sense that the way to engage the younger generation who spend most of their time with their face buried in a screen of some size and description is to make it easy to vote online.
It would be quite simple to find a secure way of doing so. I am not saying that we must throw out the old system - keep that as an option, but simply make it possible for people to go online for a few minutes and fulfil their democratic obligations.
I am certain it would be appealing to many people if they could do that. Look how online banking has revolutionised our lives.
For those who want to transfer money between accounts or pay bills at midnight, they are able to do so in the comfort of their homes. Those that still like to go out and physically do their transactions at the bank are still able to, but the point is about giving people options.
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Advertise with NZME.The problem is that the present Government does not see it as a priority because the lacklustre response to the elections cannot definitely be pinpointed to the lack of online voting.
Associate Minister for Local Government Louise Upston said that international evidence suggested that online voting may not lead to an increase in turnout.
Should this mean we simply toss the idea out? I don't think so.
It should be implemented and allowed to catch on. I have no doubt that with in a few short years, many people will be doing their voting online. Once people see how easy it is to register and vote, they will sign up.
Like everything else it will cost money, but if there is a chance that it would encourage more people to exercise their democratic right, then we should take it.
