Voting in person limits the accessibility of voting to only those who attend. However, by holding a hybrid vote with both in-person and online voting, accessibility remains open to all. Therefore, to maximize accessibility and participation, organizations should adopt a model that allows distant persons to cast their vote alongside those attending in person.
Additionally, in-person or on-site voting software can be paired with the same systems that allow online voting. This means that a single platform, such as that offered by ElectionBuddy, can be used to simultaneously hold a vote at a primary site as well as remotely for those unable to attend. However, there are arguments to be made for each option.
In-person voting isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. For centuries, votes held in person have been used to make decisions both large and small. When paired with onsite meetings beforehand, they can enhance engagement among voters and stimulate the exchange of ideas.
When on-site meeting elections occur, attendees are typically more sympathetic to opposing viewpoints. Having to look another person in the eye while listening to them fosters empathy that may not be present online. These pre-vote discussions can change minds and sway voters one way or another.
Voting in person also allows voters to see the impact of their voice in real-time. Regardless of viewpoints, it shows attendees that the issues at hand are important enough for their cohorts to physically show up at the polling location.
But clearly, holding a vote solely in person excludes many individuals from casting their votes. This not only affects voter turnout rates, it can also cause those not included to feel that their voice does not matter. Thankfully, online voting makes it easier than ever for those far from the polling place to be accounted for remotely.
Moving voting online may seem like the perfect solution—anyone can vote from anywhere, anytime. By opening accessibility to all, a vote becomes more democratic. That said, it is not a panacea.
From a candidate's campaign perspective, online campaigning and voting can remove the empathy that occurs at an in-person speech. This is doubly true when candidate positions are presented solely in text to voters. Plain text tends to remove any emotional nuance that occurs when a person speaks.
Secondly, online voting is seen by some as vulnerable to cyber threats or other forms of digital manipulation. It can also be seen as exclusionary to those who are not tech-savvy.
Overcoming these problems is central to an online vote being seen as legitimate. It can be a steep hill to climb when those accustomed to voting in person are first introduced to the idea.
Regardless of these difficulties, the fact remains that the will of the people is easier to determine when everyone has access to voting.
Our modern-day lives necessitate that we can’t be physically present everywhere we’re needed. The pandemic only accelerated the trend towards work-from-home and remote meetings. .
By moving to a voting model that includes online and in-person options, organizations can maximize voter participation. It also ensures that both those unable to attend and those who prefer in-person voting know their voices matter. When voters feel their voice makes a difference they are more likely to engage in the democratic process.
Voting platforms like those offered by ElectionBuddy provide entities with a single solution that can handle both in-person and online voting simultaneously. Additionally, results can be tallied in seconds.
Regarding security and transparency, ElectionBuddy has multiple safeguards in place. State-of-the-art encryption and voter verification help eliminate fraud, and options such as third-party election monitoring and validation are available.
Finally, modern digital devices such as smartphones and tablets may be used to cast in-person votes. These make voting more convenient by offering voters an interface they are already familiar with.
When combined, in-person and online voting can enhance each other's strengths, making the process as a whole easier and more inclusive for everyone.
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