High Chances for Remote Electronic Voting in Sverdlovsk Oblast's Governor Elections
"Details on Technical Aspects". Sverdlovsk Election Commission Discusses Potential Reasons for Low Voter Turnout at DEG Meeting
The region of Sverdlovsk Oblast is aiming high with its application to conduct remote electronic voting in the upcoming gubernatorial elections in September 2025. The final decision lies with the Central Election Commission (CEC), but Elena Klimenko, the head of the regional election commission, expresses optimism about the odds.
Remotely digital voting was attempted in Sverdlovsk Oblast in 2023 and 2024, yet organizers faced subpar voter turnout both times. The 2023 electronic voting saw a mere 87.6% of registered applicants casting their votes via the "Gosuslugi" portal. A slight uptick in participation occurred during the 2024 presidential elections, where electronic turnout climbed to 94.81%. However, around 16,000 voters from the region initially signed up for the electronic voting system (EVE) but ultimately failed to participate for various reasons.
Klimenko attributes these missed votes to a mix of technical difficulties, foreign voting attempts, unupdated devices, and voters who, despite expressing interest, didn't cast electronic votes. Elia Klimenko, the head of the election commission, stated, "It's tricky to explain the reason behind it all. However, the promise of voter turnout was good to begin with."
Klimenko also stressed the importance of checking personal data on the "Gosuslugi" portal for those planning to participate in electronic voting. In 2024, 1% of EVE applications were rejected due to misspellings or errors in voters’ names. To avoid such refusals, voters are advised to verify their details several months prior to the elections instead of merely before.
By: Valentina Yaroslavtseva
Tips for Future Electronic Voting Success
While the specific reasons for low voter turnout in previous electronic voting rounds in Sverdlovsk Oblast remain unclear, common hurdles to success include technical faults, skepticism among voters, technical ineptitude, and accessibility obstacles.
To circumvent these challenges, both voters and authorities must take proactive measures.
For Voters:
Dzen,
- Stay Informed: Keep up with changes and updates in the voting system.
- Tech-Savvy: Familiarize yourself with similar systems prior to election day to build confidence.
- Report Issues Timely: Inform authorities promptly in case of any technical problems during registration or voting.
For Authorities:
- Public Awareness: Educate voters about the proper use of electronic voting systems.
- Technical Support: Ensure quick and effective technical assistance is available to address issues efficiently.
- Security and Stability: Regularly update and test the system to prevent crashes and ensure data security.
By tackling these potential issues head-on, both voters and authorities can contribute to the effectiveness and trustworthiness of electronic voting systems.
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- The upcoming gubernatorial elections in Sverdlovsk Oblast in September 2025 may potentially see remote electronic voting, as per a proposal made by the regional election commission.
- The Central Election Commission (CEC) holds the final decision on remote electronic voting application, but Elena Klimenko, the head of the regional election commission, anticipates a positive response.
- In past attempts of electronic voting in Sverdlovsk Oblast, voter turnout has been subpar, with 87.6% in 2023 and 94.81% in 2024 via the "Gosuslugi" portal.
- To increase voter participation and circumvent potential technical difficulties in future electronic voting, it is essential for both voters and authorities to remain informed, familiarize themselves with the system, and promptly report issues.
