Internet voting is a hit across Michigan

JULIE BOLITHO

Staff Writer

Last week, Michigan gained national coverage by supplying voters with an online option when voting in the Democratic caucuses.

Mark Brewer, Executive Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, specifically told reporters that the voting process needed to be more accessible, especially for young people—that’s where the whole idea of Internet voting began.

Andrea Miller (06) who voted online Saturday, said, ”I think online voting gives chances to people who can’t make it to the polls—like the sick, the elderly, or people who live long distances from the voting booths.”

The process has already caused controversy throughout the nation. Recently, the Pentagon disbanded a $22 million project, which was to allow overseas soldiers and citizens the option of voting via the Internet. The Pentagon spokesperson stated that security experts felt online voting programs were not safe enough and was concerned that other states would follow in Michigan's lead. Barbara Simons, a retired computer researcher from IBM said, “If people deduce that Internet voting is safe and a cool thing to do, then we’re in trouble.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, Democratic candidate for president, said he was in disfavor of the new online policies, because he felt they favored wealthy voters who owned computers. Howard Dean went so far as to send his staff door to door with laptop computers asking Michigan residents if they would like to register for online ballots. Furthermore, “dorm storms” were sent through the halls of larger state universities promoting Dean and the online ballots.

Over the weekend, Sharpton and Clark gathered 7% of Michigan’s support, Edwards gained 14%, while Dean acquired 17%. John Kerry received 52% of the vote.

Miller also stated, “The downside to online voting (and absentee voting) is that you can vote 5 weeks earlier than everyone else. That’s 5 weeks worth of information you potentially lose in your choice.”

Michigan saw more voting in the caucuses this year than any year in the past. By Saturday, 163,000 Michigan citizens voted for their candidate of choice, whereas only 20,000 voted four years ago. Currently, research concerning the demographics of Internet voting is being conducted and will be released in the near future.

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