How Scots could soon be voting by phone
PEOPLE could soon be able to vote using mobile phones under plans being considered by the Scottish Government.
Ministers have disclosed proposals that could see voters use touch-screen machines in polling stations, rather than traditional paper ballots.
Allowing voters to use mobile phones or tablets to cast their ballot from home, work or overseas is also under consideration.
A consultation on electoral reform released yesterday includes proposals to scrap bonuses for returning officers and extend the franchise to allow all legal residents to vote in Scottish and local elections.
The proposals were published after the Scottish Government recently acquired control of Holyrood elections, as well as council votes.
The document says ministers plan to trial ‘innovative’ electronic voting as this could help increase participation rates and reduce costs.
However, fears have been raised about the security of opening up elections to technology and whether this could leave Scotland more vulnerable to hacking.
Annie Wells, Scottish Conservative equalities spokesman, said: ‘It’s obviously extremely important that we enable as many people as possible to participate in our democratic processes.
‘The Scottish Conservatives are in favour of anything that encourages voting, but obviously security considerations would be paramount.’
The Government is looking at two methods of electronic voting – touchscreen machines in polling booths which would be ‘similar to ticket machines at railway stations or supermarket automated checkouts’ and online voting. People casting their ballot by mobile phone, tablet, laptop or PC would do so via a secure link.
The consultation says: ‘This method of voting could be more convenient for some people and could mean that polls would “open” for longer, in that voters could cast their votes during a period of a few days, rather than on one given day.’
The document also asks people for their opinion on whether or not returning officers should continue to receive additional payments for their role, which can see some earn up to £25,000 extra.
They are responsible for the election counts in their area, and are usually council chief executives with a politically neutral role.
Respondents to the consultation will also be asked if they think the franchise should be extended. This would see all legal residents in Scotland allowed to vote in local and Holyrood elections.
At present only British, EU and Commonwealth citizens who are resident in Scotland can vote.
Parliamentary Business Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: ‘Our voting systems have remained broadly unchanged for over 100 years and now is a good time to think about modernising and innovation.
‘We already have electronic counting for local government elections – is it the time to introduce electronic voting? Could this make voting more inclusive and increase turnout?’
He added: ‘Scotland has led the way internationally by lowering the voting age to 16. We now seek to extend the opportunity to vote to all who are legally resident in Scotland.
‘It seems only fair that those who have the right to live here, whether from EU countries or elsewhere, have the right to vote.’
The consultation runs until March 12 next year.
‘Modernising and innovation’