Editorial: Electronic voting trial is not worth a $75k bill

THE TRIAL of online voting looked like a smashing idea until the cost was mentioned.

Wanganui District Council put its hand up to be shortlisted for the trial, which central Government scheduled for the 2016 local body elections.

"Online transactions are the way of the future and the Government is committed to rolling out digital services for New Zealanders," Local Government Minister Chris Tremain trumpeted in 2013, when the trial was announced.

E-voting is a logical use of online systems, it's used elsewhere in the world and may be just the boost to get more people voting for district councils and the like.

Jack Bullock, Wanganui's youngest councillor, gives the online trial his 100 per cent backing: "Like it or not, times are moving and paper ballots are nearly a thing of the past and, yes, electronic online mechanisms are taking their place."

He guaranteed it would make more people vote.

And you can't argue with that, though losing the tradition of going to a polling booth and voting - in a general election, at least - is a little sad.

Only 48 per cent of New Zealanders bothered to vote in the 2013 local body elections and that's a postal ballot.

In the general election it's much better - 78 per cent. But both figures are dropping.

But that $75,000 is a lot of money for Wanganui, as other councillors have pointed out.

And really, it should be coming from central Government. If they want to trial electronic systems, they can pay.

The tax base of councils is tiny compared to central Government.

Or we should let other councils get the kudos - and the bill - for stepping up.

Taking part in an online trial sounds like a fine idea but the cost is prohibitive.