Cost behind decision to ditch online voting trial
An online voting trial in next year’s local body elections has been ditched because of the cost.
The Marlborough District Council is one of nine local bodies to pull the plug on the trial as part of a joint working party, despite having selected a provider that satisfied all security and delivery requirements.
Council electoral officer Dean Heiford said despite intentions to be part of next year’s online voting trial, the working party was unable to get the costs to an affordable level.
The working party said the cost of the project had risen to a likely $4.2 million.
"Council recognises online voting is an option that could increase future voter turnout and improve convenience for the community, and will look at this option again after the 2019 local body elections,’’ Heiford said.
The working party comprises councils from Auckland, Gisborne District, Hamilton City, Marlborough District, Matamatapiako District, Palmerston North City, Selwyn District, Tauranga City Council and Wellington City.
Each of the councils had so far contributed $15,000 to the project, with an additional $62,608 from Auckland.
Working Party spokesperson Marguerite Delbet said the group was ‘‘hugely disappointed’’ that the trial wouldn’t proceed at next year’s local body elections.
‘‘We will continue to work in partnership with central government and the wider local government network to ensure online voting is a reality for future elections,’’ Delbet said.
The working party remained focused on ensuring the legislative and regulatory changes required to enable online voting occur as soon as possible and on securing the necessary funding to deliver an online solution.
The reliance of local body elections on a postal system, which was in decline, had forced the local government sector to look at how future elections might be delivered, with efforts focused on an online voting.
Online voting has been successfully adopted in local and national elections overseas for a number of years.