Why Can't We Vote Online? The Case Against Online Voting
The United States, like many other countries, has already adopted several forms of online payments for government services. State governments, for instance, often have online tax payment systems that allow citizens to make tax payments easily and securely. Given the extensive use of online payments for other government transactions, one might wonder why online voting is not similarly popular. In this article, we explore why online voting is not a simple solution despite its apparent efficiency and security benefits.
The Extensive Risks of Online Voting
The fear surrounding online voting is not without basis. A recent Senate race in Texas, which had an electoral expenditure of about $100 million, highlights the potential financial impact of such high-stakes elections. While this amount is significant, it is smaller relative to the scale and technology used in other financial transactions, such as those conducted by major corporations in the financial industry.
About 100 Million Dollars on the Texas Senate Race
During the recent Texas Senate race, about $100 million was spent on the election. This amount, while substantial, does not reflect the broader financial and technological landscape of online payments that have become routine in the business world. For instance, large corporations do not rely on consumer-centric payment platforms like PayPal for multi-million dollar transactions. Instead, they use highly secure and robust systems like SWIFT, Fedwire, or customized enterprise software.
This high level of security and robustness is necessary to ensure that multi-million dollar transactions, such as those between banks and corporations, are secure and traceable. The security tokens and complex software requirements required for these types of transactions are not applicable to the inherently more complex and scrutinized nature of online voting systems.
Why Online Voting Is More Complex than Online Tax Payments
The complexity of online voting extends beyond mere security concerns. Unlike online tax payments, which are typically one-time transactions with a clear regulatory oversight, online voting requires a much wider scope of measures to ensure integrity, transparency, and fairness. Voters face the risk of tampering, data breaches, and hacking, which can significantly impact the outcome of the election.
In a financial transaction, security measures are primarily aimed at protecting against unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of the transaction. However, in a voting system, the stakes are much higher. The integrity of the election must be beyond any doubt, and there must be a way to verify that every vote accurately reflects the intent of the individual voter.
Ensuring Election Integrity and Security
One of the significant challenges in implementing online voting is ensuring that it can withstand cyber attacks and data breaches. While extensive security measures are essential for online transactions, they are only one aspect of a robust election system. Online voting systems need to be equipped with advanced security protocols, including multi-factor authentication, encryption, and real-time audit trails. Furthermore, there must be a means to independently verify the accuracy of the results.
The technology required for such an endeavor is not only complex but also costly. Implementing a reliable online voting system would require significant investment in research and development, testing, and ongoing maintenance. Moreover, the potential for errors or vulnerabilities could have serious consequences, making the implementation process even more daunting.
The Case for Offline Voting
Given the complexity and potential risks associated with online voting, it is often argued that offline voting remains a more secure and reliable method. While major corporations and financial institutions have adopted advanced online payment systems, they do so with stringent requirements and oversight. Similarly, state governments have developed and implemented secure paper-based systems for elections, which can be audited and verified more easily.
A combination of offline voting methods, such as paper ballots, accompanied by parallel verification systems, could provide a more balanced and secure approach. This hybrid system would leverage the best aspects of both online and offline technologies, ensuring that the integrity and fairness of elections are maintained.
Conclusion
The question of whether we can vote online is not a simple one. While the convenience and potential cost savings of online voting might seem appealing, the complexities and risks associated with such a system cannot be overlooked. Online voting requires an extensive security infrastructure that goes beyond what is typically required for online payments. As a result, offline voting methods remain a more reliable and secure option, especially when combined with advanced verification systems.