|
| |
|
Volume 5 Issue 2 Special Issue: ECEG 2007 Den Haag
e-Voting: Same Pilots, Same Problems, Different Agendas
Mark Liptrott
Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
|
 |
| |
|
|
This paper is based on research to establish the reasons that in 2003 some English local authorities volunteered to take part in the e-voting pilot schemes and others did not. Following each e-voting pilot the local authorities are required report to the Electoral Commission. There is no research to establish the reasons that local authorities do not volunteer for the pilots. This paper outlines the preliminary findings from the interviews with Election Officers from pilot and non-pilot authorities to establish the reasons for their decisions. The study is diffusion based research to establish the reasons why an innovation, in this case e-voting, is adopted or rejected. The research is underpinned by Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory framework to assess whether or not e-voting will diffuse in accordance with that theory.
The findings recognise that the number of authorities willing to join the trials of e-voting are falling and the most influential variables effecting their decision making appear to be the lack of continuity, issues of security, shortage of time for the legislative process, the availability of resources and kudos. The penultimate section of the paper analyses how each of these issues can be addressed by a formal diffusion strategy. The final section includes a recommendation for a revised public policy design as it warns of the potential danger of the lack of feedback from the increasing number of non-pilot authorities. It also suggests that since local authorities appear to have participated in the trials for their own ends there should be a further category included in the sub-dimension of Rogers’ perceived attribute of an innovation, relative advantage. The results demonstrate that consideration of a formal diffusion strategy prior to policy implementation can address the factors inhibiting the adoption of an innovation introduced by central to local government.
Keywords:e-voting, pilot scheme, public policy process, diffusion.
Download FULL PAPER
Back to Contents |
|
