E-DemocracyE-Democracy

By Robert David Cowan

The United States of America, the cradle of Democracy unfortunately there has been a crib death and no one has noticed.

IntroductionIntroduction

The Gore-Bush election only validates, all votes are not counted equally.

This paper shows how votes can be counted without the involvement of a single chad.

This paper will: Begin with a serious discussion of E-Democracy, What it may be and why it is not so far. Then an attempt to solve the problems related to E-Democracy

becoming a reality. Finally a discussion of time, how soon could we and how soon

will we be able to cast our votes over the Internet.

1.1 History1.1 History

US founded in 1776 First case of voter fraud 1776Simple majorityElectoral College

1.2 Current Voting Problems1.2 Current Voting Problems• 7,000 voting jurisdiction• 600,000 mechanical-lever and punch card machines• Tallies are dependant• Rent, maintenance and distribution

1.3 Current Technical Problems1.3 Current Technical Problems

No standardization at any levelPaper ballotsMechanical devicesTallies

1.4 Current Social Problems1.4 Current Social Problems

Election night predictionsPolitical appointments

2 2 What it May Become What it May Become

2.1 Ideal SettingWe all lived happily ever after

22 What it May BecomeWhat it May Become(Cont.)(Cont.)

2.2 Realistic FutureAllow people to vote comfortablyInternet voting to relieve local pressuresAccurate voter registration recordsMore active participation from the citizensMore active participation of information

transfer from the politicians

3 3 Solutions Solutions

3.1 Current Technical SolutionsUserid and passwordSmartcardsBiometrics

– Fingerprint– Retinal– Voice

3 3 Solutions Solutions

3.1 Current Technical Solutions– Voice

VeriVoice – random numbers BBN – browser

Size of vocal cavity and articulators

FBI survey of 2,000 cases with .31% error rate

33 SolutionsSolutions(cont.)(cont.)

3.2 Current Voting SolutionsICT’s Information and Communication Technologies Touch screens Websites = electronic pamphlets Canada used PIN and the phone Arizona increase participation 600%

33 SolutionsSolutions(cont.)(cont.)

3.2 Current Voting SolutionsMerge Voter Registration with US Census

Laptops and PC with microphones

“Dead Men Tell no Tales”

Tally machines = servers

33 SolutionsSolutions(cont.)(cont.)

3.3 Current Social Solutions

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”

PC literacy and attrition

Lose of job and political favor

Strong constituents

4 4 Time Lines Time Lines

4.1 Timeline For the Next Five YearsEverything happensGrassroots movement to mobilize the

disenfranchised

44 Time LinesTime Lines(cont.)(cont.)

4.2 Timeline Within My LifetimeGrassroots = LawImplementation7000 adherences

5 5 Conclusions Conclusions

We can do it if we want

QuestionsQuestions

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