PPT BRAUN CH

e-voting – the Swiss experience: 

e-voting – the Swiss experience CoE: e-voting review meeting Strasbourg, 23-24.11.2006

Topics: 

Topics What is meant by „e-voting“? What happened so far? Next steps?

Introduction: Definition of e-voting: 

Introduction: Definition of e-voting Electronic voting - refers to the option of using electronic means to vote in referendums and elections. including: popular votes (at least 4 times a year…) elections electronic signature of referendums, initiatives and candidate proposals ( in the future)

Introduction: Definition of e-voting: 

Introduction: Definition of e-voting e-voting as an additional means of voting < 20% > 80% focus on remote e-voting

E-voting in Switzerland: Review: 

E-voting in Switzerland: Review 1998 Federal Council mentions in the „Strategie für eine Informationsgesellschaft“ that the feasibility of e-voting should be examined. 2000 Parliament asks for feasibility study on e-voting. Federal Chancellery is mandated to do the feasibility study.

E-voting in Switzerland: Review: 

E-voting in Switzerland: Review 2002 Federal Council adopts report on chances, risks and feasibilty of e-voting in Switzerland. This report is subsequently discussed in Parliament.  in order to do a thorough feasibility study, pilot trials are initiated in the cantons of Geneva, Neuchâtel and Zurich (in co-operation with Federal Chancellery). Parliament adopts legal basis for pilot trials.

Pilot Trials: 

Pilot Trials * Users of the official "Guichet unique" electronic office.

Pilot Trials: Voter Turnout: 

Pilot Trials: Voter Turnout e-voting would primarily replace postal voting It could attract a small number of abstainers, mainly among younger people and voters who do not participate regularly It could lead to a moderate increase in voter participation

Pilot Trials: Cost-effectiveness: 

Pilot Trials: Cost-effectiveness Assuming that several cantons operate an e-voting system together, and that those processes which are common to all forms of referendum (such as, for example, the printing of the voting permits, the creation of the voting register, the checking of voting rights etc.) feed into a cantonal or supra-cantonal election and referendum system, the implementation of e-voting would be more cost-effective than postal voting.

E-voting in Switzerland: prospects: 

E-voting in Switzerland: prospects 2006 31.05.2006: Federal Council adopts evaluation report on e-voting pilot trials. It would like to see the progressive introduction of e-voting in Switzerland. 26.11.2006: further trials in Neuchâtel and Zurich. 2007 Parliamentary debates on the future of e-voting in Switzerland.

E-voting in Switzerland: prospects: 

E-voting in Switzerland: prospects In the medium to long term the Federal Council, with the approval of Parliament, wishes to initiate the following steps: Allow further cantons to implement their own projects (without financial support). Enable e-voting for the Swiss Abroad. In order to ensure participation in e-voting, every canton would first have to create a central register of Swiss Nationals Abroad.

E-voting in Switzerland: prospects: 

E-voting in Switzerland: prospects In the medium to long term the Federal Council, with the approval of Parliament, wishes to initiate the following steps: The electronic signing of popular initiatives, referendums and candidature nominations for elections to the National Council is still a long way off. The use of digital signatures is a prerequisite, but these are not yet in wide use in Switzerland.

Closing remarks: 

Closing remarks E-voting is feasible in Switzerland Step-by-step approach is still the best way forward. E-voting has only a chance of being introduced if all those involved – voters, politicians and authorities – have a lasting acceptance of and trust in the new procedures.

Thank you! : 

Thank you! nadja.braun@bk.admin.ch