STANDING in long queues to vote, making your mark, folding papers and putting it into ballot boxes might soon be a quaint memory.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One day you might be able to use your smartphone to cast your vote without ever attending the polling station.
Research being conducted at the University of New England (UNE) aims to make this vision a reality.
Mobile Voting has been launched as a public awareness campaign to identify and address the possibility of implementing a successful mobile internet e-Voting platform for Australian elections.
UNE PhD student Phillip Zada, who is behind the campaign, said online voting solutions are being used around the world.
“Australia pioneered and introduced the currently used secret ballot system in 1855, so why are we so behind in keeping up with the rest of the world?” Mr Zada said.
The latest attempt at online voting, NSW iVote, is currently being trailed, but is challenged by the abundant use of smartphones and other mobile technologies by members of the public.
By June 2014, there were six million wireless broadband connections, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Mr Zada, under the guidance of UNE’s Dr Greg Falzon and Associate Professor Paul Kwan, is undertaking research to evaluate the viability and readiness of using this technology for Australian elections.
“Mobile e-voting will completely transform the Australian voting experience," Dr Falzon said.
"Mobile e-voting promises greater efficiency, convenience and flexibility to the voting process.
"Reduced paper wastage might also see environmental benefits.
"This research project is critical to understanding the limitations and barriers to the adoption of mobile e-voting in this country.”
The Mobile Voting campaign will be utilised to increase public awareness of mobile internet e-voting, as well as find out what really counts when it comes to elections for everyday Australians.
“I want to ensure that the Australian public has a say when it comes to the future of the Australian election process”, Mr Zada said.
You can stay up to date on this project by visiting mobilevoting.com.au and signing up for updates.