To ask if voting online were available, would you use it?

[hellokittymania]

They have it in Australia! I would love to use it! It would make things so much easier For me.

Who else thinks this would be a great idea? I know some people can't use technology, so it wouldn't be helpful for them.

[Dogsmom]

I'd always physically go and vote in person if I could but it would be very useful to have it as a back up in case I couldn't get there for any reason.

I think it would vastly increase the amount of people who vote too.

I do worry about how secure it is though but then I always wonder if vote counters slip a few in the bin!!

[NotYoda]

Yes

[hellokittymania]

I just found out Canada has it as well.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

I don't think I'd use it personally but I think we should have it as an option. I'm fairly sure it would increase votes.

[dinosaurbum]

I probably would, I work in the tech industry though, but I know friends who are a bit technophobic and wouldn't.

Although I do love voting in person! I always get a bit emotional when I do...

[hellokittymania]

Sorry, ignore that! Wrong information! It looks like they want it though and a few years ago they were looking into it, but it was scrapped.

[mylaptopismylapdog]

Definitely.

[kimlo]

No because I like to go in and vote in person.

[ClashCityRocker]

I would, and think it would improve turnout...

But the flip side of that, if you can't be bothered to engage in the relatively simply voting process, would it really improve voter engagement just doing it online, or would people just tick a box without thinking about it?

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

I have switched to postal voting but miss the ritual of going to the polling station. I switched because we were on holiday during the general election in 2010 and I have continued with it for the convenience as I often work away and may not be able to get to my polling station on the day. Online voting would be useful but couldn't be the only method available as it would disenfranchise whole swathes of the population - the elderly and disabled to name just two groups.

[MOB247]

Yep. 100%

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

I'd use it.
Definitely think it would increase turn out, especially with the younger demographic.

[OvariesBeforeBrovaries]

I think it'd be a great idea and it would increase the numbers voting. I wouldn't do it myself though, I like taking DD to the polling station.

[plickplock]

Yes. I have a postal vote for convenience and actually voted on Saturday, which means the rest of the campaign is pretty redundant to me. If I could vote online and access didn't open until polling day, I might pay more attention to the upcoming debates.

[Whileweareonthesubject]

I'd use it. I'm sure there would be a way to make it more secure - I believe there is a security measure that generates a one time only code, a bit like the bank card readers you get with online banking. I would also expect that voting would go on longer - over two days maybe, to minimise the need for everyone to log on at the same time. I'm sure it will come sooner or later. It should ould also mean the outcome would be known earlier. No more sitting up until 4:30 am to find out the local results and then struggling to stay away at work the next day!

[pringlecat]

I don't see how it would be less secure than the current system which lets anyone rock up and vote with a name and no security checks.

[PippaFawcett]

Pringle, we have had polling cards for the former occupants of our address and our own so I reckon it would be pretty easy to vote twice for us on the current system.

[OhDearToby]

I'm not sure if I'd use it (because I live next door to the polling station and I like the ritual of it) but i think they should definitely be working towards introducing it. I'm sure it would massively increase voting numbers.

To those saying "if it's not broke don't fix it" I think a system that regularly gives only a 35% turnout is broken.

[MyCalmX]

Yes. I do postal vote for convenience. I'm an Aussie and we have to vote or get a fine but I think making it as easy as possible for everyone to vote is the best strategy.

Mind you, I've not voted in Aus for about 10 years so I didn't know about the online voting!

[bunnylove99]

No because I like to go in and vote in person.
Me too. And I would worry about the reliability/robustness of the IT supporting it.

[zukiecat]

Yes, I'd do it

I have a postal vote, because of long term health problems, but It would make life easier to just vote online

[Bubblesdays]

Yes would prefer it, I do everything else online.

[Nowwhatsthis]

You don't even have to show ID to vote in person in this country so if anything I believe online voting would be MORE secure.

[EnthusiasmIsDisturbed]

No

I really enjoy going to the polling station and putting my cross on the ballot paper it feels as though I am really part of making a change

[DorotheaBeale]

To those saying "if it's not broke don't fix it" I think a system that regularly gives only a 35% turnout is broken.

Do you think online voting will make people more likely to take an interest in politics and current affairs, not just in the run up to an election, but as a normal part of every day life? Do you think online voting will mean people are more likely to make an informed decision about their vote? Those are the issues that need to be addressed.

It's been possible to register to vote online for years, and people still don't bother.

Voting is not just a right, it's a privilege, and one of the most important things you can do as an adult. If people can go to the pub or to get a takeaway, surely they can be bothered to go to the polling station.

And there's still the issue of how you ensure the tech will work. What would happen if Virgin, say, had a major outage in one city on the day and many people couldn't get online to vote?