QUOTES AND NOTES FROM HALL AND ALVAREZ

Hall and Alvarez have been involved in the study of Internet voting since the early 1990s. They are consulted by the US government, and other governments around the world. Here are a few notes and quotes from their book, Electronic Elections (2008).

REASON OVER EMOTION

These two political scientists are committed to the rational study of all sorts of electronic voting systems, and they warn against the folly of letting fear overcome reason in the Internet voting policy debate.

“Passions can overcome rational debate …” 154 “We should move to a level of scientific study …” 130 “This debate needs to become more rational …” 11

NO REPORTED SECURITY PROBLEMS WITH INTERNET VOTING TRIALS

Internet voting trials have been conducted in Alaska and Arizona in 2000, Michigan in 2004, from 2000 on: France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Estonia, Netherlands, and several parts of Canada.

“The United Kingdom provides a model of [pilot testing of Internet voting].” 72 Every step in the process has been carefully monitored and studies made of public opinion, and improvements made where needed.

“As of late 2006, a total of eight [European] nations have conducted real remote Internet voting pilots.” 76

“In these trials, there had not been any documented security problems, …the experiences were problem free.” 71

In fact, “none of the threats that security experts claim will occur with Internet voting has occurred in the many elections that have tested such systems.” 89

THE MICHIGAN 2004 PRIMARY

The Democratic Party offered an Internet voting option, along with vote by mail and at polling places, in its 2004 primary.

Again, with the Internet voting, “there were no successful attacks from pranksters and hackers.” 97

The Internet voting technology did not favor any particular candidate or age group.(97) Computers were provided in public places, and lap tops brought to home-bound voters.(97) More voters used the Internet than voted by mail.(97)

No voters were disenfranchised by Internet voting, but paper based polling place problems did cause some people to not vote.(97) E.g., long lines, registration verification snags, lack of supplies (like proper ballots).

67% said they used Internet voting for convenience, and 90% of these said they voted from home, and 8% from work.

Contrary to expectations, Internet voting had very little extra draw on young voters (95)

EMAIL and FAX VOTING OK

This year at least 33 states are going to try some form of voting over the Internet for their overseas voters. Despite all the testimony from the critics and alarmists, Congress has allocated funds for these trials. The testimony of experts who assured Congress that techniques of mitigation exist for all the risks listed by those opposed to any voting technology but paper was more convincing than the unreason of alarmists like "Jefferson et al." Some states, like California and Arizona, have been using fax returned ballots for overseas military voters for several years. Studies of these practices show that

“There have not been any allegations of widespread fraud or irregularities associated with faxed UOCAVA ballots …” 87

Also, when asked if they are willing to take the alleged risks of Internet voting systems, military people overwhelmingly agree to it, so they can vote.

PAPER BASED VOTING SYSTEMS ARE WORSE THAN ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In Chapter Two, and throughout the book, H/A discuss all the faults of paper based voting systems. The US has about 200 years of experience with paper ballots. Most of the criticisms of Internet voting are also proven problems of paper, such as denial of service, fraud, spoofing, buying/selling, invasions of privacy, vote changing, intimidation, etc. (cf 87)

CONLUSION

Don't let scary stories and fear drive your opinions. Look at the facts.