Electronic Ballots Could Increase Voter Turn-Out

New research shows that offering the option of electronic ballots could increase voter participation.

RÚV reports that research conducted by the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri and doctorate students at the University of Mannheim examined why municipal elections earlier this year saw the lowest voter turn-out since 1928. The most predominant reasons people cited for not voting were a lack of viable options and the belief that one individual can do little to change the status quo.

When these non-voters were then asked what could change their minds about going to the polls, most respondents – 65% – said that being able to vote electronically would probably get them to participate.

There were other ideas that could also increase voter participation. 52% said they would vote if candidates could run as independents, not belonging to any political party. 30% said they would be more likely to vote if elections were held on a different day, and about 20% said improving the ability to vote off-site would increase their chances of voting.

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