Since many online services are scoring the greatest success based on the remarkable nature of the interactivity and accessibility of the internet, political researchers, with respect to electronic voting, regard voting no differently than other online services. While reading “Voter-Centered Design: Toward a Voter Decision Support System”, I came across the notion of creating internet-based electronic voting system.
This notion reminds me of the Japanese “i-mode” mobile phones. “i-mode” mobile phones are unique internet services which vary from other regular mobile phone with internet access. “i-mode” phones were created to meet all possible internet usages and services. Likewise, Political researchers aim to create the ultimate internet natured E-voting system which will facilitate online inquires/services.
Internet Services
1. Information acquisition/ sharing
- Unidirectional: websites and emails
- Bidirectional: chats, blogs and forums
2. Building communities “deliberation and discussion”
3. Formation of an opinion/ decision
Current E-voting systems lack information gathering, organizing and sharing, deliberation and discussion “community building” which facilitate making the appropriate decision. Voters are compelled to use this scarce voting system without having the chance to browse information by using combined filtering from ballot materials.
Political researchers studied four different dimensions “Society, Technology, Law and Politics”, in which a good E-voting system must consider, to facilitate the process of collect and share information and create electronic dialogues in such a timely manner.
This system, if implemented adequately, will effectively sustain the usability and transparency of the E-voting system. Without doubt, adding the mobility feature to this system is a key factor to its efficiency.
E-Voting System
1. Information acquisition/ sharing
- Unidirectional: websites and emails
- Bidirectional: chats, blogs and forums
2. Managing information
3. Building communities “deliberation and discussion”
4. Formation of an opinion/ decision
5. Static and mobile voting
