a thin client for networked access to a central register and electronic voting terminal
Networked terminals for marking the electoral register at poll places has been trialed at a number of sites (most recently [5]) allowing immediate detection of attempted multiple voting even in truly anonymous voting systems. We describe new technology piloted in 2007 in a binding local government election. Our commercial remote voting product eLect [1] was extended to provide new services. Firstly, networked register terminals replaced paper registers. Secondly, the networked register formed the basis of enabling single-vote access for poll-place electronic voting. Finally, poll place electronic voting machines were provided as stateless thin clients who were networked for real-time central aggregation of votes. A central server was charged with the coordination of 400 such voting and register machines at 64 sites. Register terminals also formed the basis of recording the issue of paper votes if the voter so chose, as these were provided to allow voting in the traditional manner. In concert with these systems, votes were also collected via telephone and web-based remote electronic voting services. The pilot has been judged a success by the central government.
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