RISKS-LIST: Risks-Forum Digest Friday 10 October 2003 Volume 22 : Issue 95

FORUM ON RISKS TO THE PUBLIC IN COMPUTERS AND RELATED SYSTEMS (comp.risks)

ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy, Peter G. Neumann, moderator

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Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 16:02:47 +0100

From: "C.Cartledge" <C.Cartledge@sheffield.ac.uk>

Subject: The shape of elections to come in England

Given the comments on the use of technology in US elections, readers may be interested in the approach being recommended by the body responsible for overseeing elections in England. Hand counting of ballot papers is the norm in England and is implicitly retained in the information referenced.

There is no mention of dedicated voting equipment, but there are innovations such as:

The roll-out of all-postal elections (The English are careful

with their use of new technology - it is 163 years since the

"penny post" was established here.)

The use of watermarked ballot papers to replace the stamped

official mark as proof of authenticity;

Barcodes to replace serial numbers on ballot papers

All-postal voting should be made the norm at all local elections throughout Great Britain, says The Electoral Commission in its evaluation of voting trials at the May 2003 local elections in England[1]. In its independent report, The shape of elections to come, the Commission also concludes that further piloting of electronic voting is essential before setting a date for an e-enabled general election. ... 31 Jul 2003

See full press release at:

http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk/media-centre/newsreleasereviews.cfm/news/214

The English are careful with their use of new technology. It is after all just 164 years since the "penny post" was established here.