10 Steps The UK Took Towards Online Voting This Year

Have a look at why 2014 has been a positive year for those campaigning for online voting in elections.

1. Ideas were discussed

Via huffingtonpost.co.uk

"The internet is a place of almost limitless potential. Being able to vote online can do more than just offer voters another way to tick a box; it can revolutionise the way we elect our representatives and change politics for the better."

2. The Electoral Commission said we should consider it

Via theguardian.com

"Unless our electoral system keeps pace with the way many voters live the rest of their lives – where the way they bank and the way they shop has been transformed – it risks being seen as increasingly alien and outdated, particularly to young voters as they use it for the first time."

3. WebRoots Democracy was set up

Via youtube.com

WebRoots Democracy was set up in May to campaign for "the introduction of online voting in Local and General Elections" and to "reverse growing political apathy and low electoral turnout in the UK".

4. Mr Speaker said we should have it

Via bbc.co.uk

"The argument is that a good citizen should have to make an effort to vote, picking up a postcard posted to them weeks before and dragging themselves down to an empty community hall or primary school on a wet Thursday to put a cross on a tiny piece of paper," he said.

"Sorry but I am not convinced this is the pinnacle of 21st Century democracy in action."

5. Rick Edwards called for it in his TEDx talk

Via youtube.com

"Voting should be online. There is no question.

It is crazy that in 2015 we are expecting young people to go and queue up to tick a box on a bit of paper, behind a curtain in a village hall.

They're digital natives. We've got to take voting to where they are, to where we'll all be in a few years time."

6. Sky News hosted a debate on the issue

Via news.sky.com

"Many government services are already available on the internet - from applying for a driving licence to submitting tax returns.

Even the Census has been given a 21st century makeover, with an online form available for the first time in 2011.

Why then is Britain yet to introduce a virtual ballot box alongside the conventional pen and paper?"

7. The Labour Party announced plans to introduce it

Via webrootsdemocracy.org

“Westminster has become a dirty word.

We ignore this at our peril. That’s why Labour will overhaul our democracy. Making it as easy as possible to vote. Transforming elections so that voting is in tune with the busy lives people lead.

Holding elections at weekends to raise turnout. Polling opened a week in advance to allow early voting. Electronic voting, making sure it’s affordable and isn’t open to abuse.”

8. More people showed their support for it

Via Facebook: WebRootsUK

Broadcaster Amy Lamé has been a strong advocate for the reform.

"We need 21st century voting for a 21st century parliament."

9. A discussion on it was held during Parliament Week

Via webrootsdemocracy.org

A panel discussion was held during Parliament Week with Chloe Smith MP, Amy Lamé, Smartmatic's Mike Summers, vInspired's Rachel Stroud, and the British Youth Council's Mita Desai.

10. MPs started calling for it

Via buzzfeed.com

The report recommended that the government create an “assessment of the challenges [of online voting] and the likely impact on turnout … with a view to all electors having the choice of voting online at the 2020 general election.”