Online voting Implications

In April 2020, a significant stance was taken by the Association for Computing

Machinery’s US Technology Policy Committee (ACM USTPC), alongside a coalition of

cybersecurity, computing, and science experts, including two laureates of the prestigious ACM

A.M. Turing Award. This collective voiced a strong recommendation to Governors and State

Election Directors, advising against the implementation of internet voting or voting applications

for the 2020 elections. Their concerns were articulated through an open letter, further supported

by a comprehensive analysis from the American Association for the Advancement of Science

(AAAS) Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues. The crux of their argument is built upon

decades of meticulous scientific examination, which has consistently revealed the significant

security vulnerabilities inherent to internet voting systems—issues that are unlikely to be

resolved in the near future (Goodman & Stokes, 2020).

The primary concern highlighted by the ACM USTPC and its allies revolves around the

security deficiencies of all existing internet voting technologies. Despite the attractive

convenience offered by such systems, especially under the constraints posed by the COVID-19

pandemic, these platforms introduce substantial cyber risks. These risks include the potential for

vote manipulation, breaches of voter privacy, and the absence of a verifiable paper trail, making

reliable audits impossible. This critique extends to the use of blockchain and mobile app

technologies, which have been evaluated and found inadequate in mitigating these foundational

security flaws (Halderman & Specter, 2020).

The implications of pursuing internet voting under these conditions are profound. Moving

forward with such technologies risks compromising the integrity of the electoral process and
diminishing public confidence in the outcomes of elections. This could foster greater political

instability and challenge the legitimacy of elected officials. Consequently, the ACM USTPC's

recommendation against internet voting is more than a technical suggestion; it serves as a critical

safeguard for upholding democratic principles.

The stakeholders involved in this issue include election officials, voters, cybersecurity

professionals, and policymakers. Election officials are tasked with the delicate balance of

ensuring accessibility to voting while safeguarding the security of elections. Voters seek reliable

and convenient methods to exercise their democratic rights, particularly in the context of

pandemic-induced restrictions. Cybersecurity experts and entities like the ACM USTPC are

instrumental in providing the expertise needed to guide these decisions. Policymakers, for their

part, are responsible for considering these expert recommendations and the supporting evidence

to enact measures that protect the electoral process's integrity.

Upon review, the ACM USTPC's cautionary stance against internet voting is well-

founded on a substantial body of scientific evidence that highlights unresolved security

challenges associated with such systems. Their advocacy for sticking with verifiable paper

ballots and conventional voting methods, at least for the foreseeable future, emerges as the most

cautious approach to ensure the security of elections. While this does not negate the potential for

future technological innovations to enhance electoral procedures, it acknowledges the current

limitations and the overarching importance of election security.

 For information professionals and the broader society, the implications of this discussion

are significant. Information professionals, particularly those specializing in cybersecurity and

electoral technologies, are at the forefront of tackling these challenges and devising solutions that

could eventually enable secure internet voting. Society must weigh the convenience of such

technologies against the need for security, recognizing that the cornerstone of democratic

processes must remain unassailable. The continued dialogue between technological advancement

and the preservation of electoral integrity is vital for the progression of both fields, ensuring that

when internet voting becomes feasible, it strengthens rather than compromises democratic

participation.
 References

Association for Computing Machinery’s US Technology Policy Committee. (2020, April 9).

Letter to Governors and Secretaries of State on the insecurity of online voting.

https://www.aaas.org/programs/epi-center/internet-voting-letter

Goodman, N., & Stokes, L. B. (2020). The security risks of online voting have been overlooked.

Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/04/the-security-risks-of-online-voting-

have-been-overlooked

Halderman, J. A., & Specter, M. A. (2020). The scientific consensus on the security risks of

online voting. Journal of Cybersecurity.

https://academic.oup.com/cybersecurity/article/doi/10.1093/cybsec/tyaa001/5820831