We'll also ask a few questions to identify the person and once the vote has been cast, the name and PIN are consumed and can't be used again. This combination of information should prevent over-voting. The session between the voter's browser and the server will be encrypted using Web server digital certificates. This Secure Socket Layer technology prevents data from being captured while it's in transit. The election site will be constantly monitored so intruders can be dealt with before they can damage data or tamper with election results.
Online voting has the potential to change the political landscape.
But not in the near future, according to ACT electoral commissioner Phil Green. He's overseeing the introduction of electronic voting for 216,000 electors for the ACT's Legislative Assembly in October, which will be the first time it's used in Australia for a parliamentary election. The system will consist of computers on enclosed networks located in up to 10 of the 80 polling places. The ACT uses the Hare-Clark electoral system, which he describes as being very complicated. It takes a long time to count by hand.