Online Voting in Canada

Shady · April 13, 2014

And if it was even easier would that be a problem for you?

You have to balance ease of voting with security. But regardless, personally I don't think it needs to be easier. I don't think it needs to be like checking your facebook. Voting SHOULD take a bit of effort. Anything worthwhile always does. This whole process reminds me of the "eat anything you want, don't excercise, and STILL lose weight" type of nonsense. People need to grow up, take responsibility, and realize that democracy and voting may take more than 30 seconds of your time, once every few years or so.

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

I think it comes down to this: if more people vote Harper loses, if less people vote Harper wins. Now how much more millions do you want pissed away on junk like the F35, in and out scandal, senate scandal, robocalls scandal, contempt of parliament scandal, shall I go on?

TimG · April 13, 2014

Of all people, I don't believe in Shady's responses. He has no research or forthought into his answers.

That rich coming from someone who thinks the magic technology fairy will solve all of the problems. I have stated quite specifically why any secure online voting system would have to have a cumbersome offline registration process. Despite what you may want to believe it is not going to be like voting for Canadian Idol. Edited April 13, 2014 by TimG

Shady · April 13, 2014

I think it comes down to this: if more people vote Harper loses, if less people vote Harper wins.

These "more people" can already vote, pretty easily.

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

You have to balance ease of voting with security. But regardless, personally I don't think it needs to be easier. I don't think it needs to be like checking your facebook. Voting SHOULD take a bit of effort. Anything worthwhile always does. This whole process reminds me of the "eat anything you want, don't excercise, and STILL lose weight" type of nonsense. People need to grow up, take responsibility, and realize that democracy and voting may take more than 30 seconds of your time, once every few years or so.

I would agree with all what you have said here. Casting a ballot is an important action and shouldn't be taken lightly. As such the government should undertake to make it available to as many as possible, not to try and take it away from anyone.

Shady · April 13, 2014

I would agree with all what you have said here. Casting a ballot is an important action and shouldn't be taken lightly. As such the government should undertake to make it available to as many as possible, not to try and take it away from anyone.

It's already available to every Canadian, over 18, that wishes to vote. But the integrity of the voting process also has to be maintained. It's a balance.

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

These "more people" can already vote, pretty easily.

Once again, there is no proof of voter fraud, but there is a lot of proof that Harper and his nitwit Poilievre are trying to BS us into believing there was. As Mulcair has so adeptly slammed Harper against the wall with questions about any proof of said fraud, he just cowers into the shadows and drones on about more BS. "I have been quite clear, Mr speaker" ha ha ha

Shady · April 13, 2014

Once again, there is no proof of voter fraud,

I agree. In our non-online voting system, there is very little proof of any voter fraud.

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

Bring on the proof of voter fraud and we can have our say one way or the other. Without that it's pretty transparent.

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

Once again, there is no proof of voter fraud, but there is a lot of proof that Harper and his nitwit Poilievre are trying to BS us into believing there was. As Mulcair has so adeptly slammed Harper against the wall with questions about any proof of said fraud, he just cowers into the shadows and drones on about more BS. "I have been quite clear, Mr speaker" ha ha ha

I'm no computer expert so I can't speak to the security of on line voting. But I'll say this, I do online banking and I feel secure I guess because my bank says their system is secure and if it gets jiggled they will backstop my accounts. Now I guess if someone was able to hack in and adjust my vote, what the hell would happen then? I guess bottom line for me is I fret over the security, but at the same time welcome the availability. It's a poser.

WestCoastRunner · April 13, 2014

That rich coming from someone who thinks the magic technology fairy will solve all of the problems. I have stated quite specifically why any secure online voting system would have to have a cumbersome offline registration process. Despite what you may want to believe it is not going to be like voting for Canadian Idol.

I

TimG · April 13, 2014

Now I guess if someone was able to hack in and adjust my vote, what the hell would happen then?

How would you even know it happened? With paper ballots there are scrutineers at every polling station and a physical record that can be recounted.

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

How would you even know it happened? With paper ballots there are scrutineers at every polling station and a physical record that can be recounted.

Well as I say, the security issues would have to be dealt with, but I doubt that's insurmountable. The more people who vote the better in my view. Harper's unfair election act seeks to do the opposite. And I know why. That's why it's undemocratic.

TimG · April 13, 2014

Well as I say, the security issues would have to be dealt with, but I doubt that's insurmountable.

Nope. Just requires a process as cumbersome as it is for a mail in ballot.

Less cumbersome than that and the system would be open to fraud.

Edited April 13, 2014 by TimG

On Guard for Thee · April 13, 2014

Nope. Just requires a process as cumbersome as it is for a mail in ballot.

Less cumbersome than that and the system would be open to fraud.

Why then is Harper so afraid ?

TimG · April 13, 2014

Why then is Harper so afraid ?

Who is afraid? I am pretty sure that anyone who has actually thought about the security requirements would have realized that they would be too onerous to meet the expectations of the boosters and it would be a waste of time.

Michael Hardner · April 13, 2014

Why not use whatever means possible, to encourage a larger turnout for voting.

I would rather change the system to address quality of discussion. I agree with TimG, if they don't want to bother to travel to the polls, how are they going to be expected to take hours and hours to inform themselves on issues ?

Michael Hardner · April 13, 2014

I can't believe this turned into a 7 page thread so quickly.

I agree with Shady that this move would increase low-information voters propensity to vote, since the same people who are unwilling to take thirty to sixty minutes to go and vote are going to be unwilling to take thirty to sixty minutes to research the issues.

I'm not convinced that any one party will benefit over the other from this idea, but I think the quality of debate would decline. Then again, it may be the logical response to the decline of the middle class, if people just vote themselves their entitlements via home voting, and vote to punish other people the same way.

Bob Macadoo · April 13, 2014

I can't believe this turned into a 7 page thread so quickly.I agree with Shady that this move would increase low-information voters propensity to vote, since the same people who are unwilling to take thirty to sixty minutes to go and vote are going to be unwilling to take thirty to sixty minutes to research the issues.I'm not convinced that any one party will benefit over the other from this idea, but I think the quality of debate would decline. Then again, it may be the logical response to the decline of the middle class, if people just vote themselves their entitlements via home voting, and vote to punish other people the same way.

You mean like the "high" quality debate on this thread currently? I find it ironic that the same people cannot believe that we would allow people to forgo 30 minutes to vote don't realize that they have done the same thing for debate (here) or physical town halls (e-halls), or stump speeches, etc. You've given over every other aspect of your political life to your tablet but somehow showing up to a church, exchanging pleasantries with a blue hair, where its been proven doesn't know how to do their job, to obtain an unrecycled piece of paper just to put an X and get back to my job/kids as your day has already been filled due to the pace we run at now. For christ sakes people buy their entire house furnishings sight unseen online. I find that more disturbing than voting online (if it satisfies security concerns).

WWWTT · April 13, 2014

I can't believe this turned into a 7 page thread so quickly.

Same here!

Who's this "We vote Canada" poster anyways?

Sounds like he/she is just trying to push their web sites, not a real poster.

I'm not going to get involved in this thread because of the poster whom started it!

WWWTT

Michael Hardner · April 13, 2014

You mean like the "high" quality debate on this thread currently? I find it ironic that the same people cannot believe that we would allow people to forgo 30 minutes to vote don't realize that they have done the same thing for debate (here) or physical town halls (e-halls), or stump speeches, etc.

Ok - how many people here would vote online but do not vote now ?

Bob Macadoo · April 13, 2014

Ok - how many people here would vote online but do not vote now ?

I don't care, but how many here would keep showing up to the polls if there were online voting?

Edited April 13, 2014 by Bob Macadoo

Topaz · April 13, 2014

My understanding is the 2019 election, EC is going to try to have some sort of computer voting. Since the Banks never got hit by the latest virus, EC should look and see about the system they use. We shouldn't rush this, we have to have it done right and secure the first time or people will not vote by computer.

Wilber · April 13, 2014

Of all people, I don't believe in Shady's responses. He has no research or forthought into his answers.

Stranger things have happened but I actually agree with Shady on this one. Many polling stations are located in schools. People do still go to school don't they?