New e-voting system passes crucial test
19 June 2023
For the first time in almost four years, a select group of eligible voters were able to vote electronically yesterday – including Swiss Abroad from the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Thurgau and St. Gallen. From the point of view of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity, the tests were a complete success. Numerous Swiss Abroad took advantage of the opportunity.
E-voting was possible again for some Swiss Abroad at the votes two weeks ago. Have you also voted via the electronic channel? Share your e-voting experience with the entire SwissCommunity. Show us where you were when you put your ballot paper into the e-voting box or explain why you chose this channel.
We look forward to receiving your pictures and videos to @SwissCommunity #myeVote or by email to info@swisscommunity.org.
Although the Swiss Abroad have been able to vote by post since 1992, they are still confronted with difficulties. As a report of the Federal Council of 17 March 2023 on the exercise of the right to vote from abroad shows, Swiss citizens living abroad in remote countries in particular regularly receive their documents too late. E-voting provides a remedy here and allows those concerned to actually exercise their political rights. The 2019 national elections have shown that voter turnout in the Fifth Switzerland is much lower without e-voting.
First practical tests successful
The cantons of Basel-Stadt, Thurgau and St Gallen used the revised Swiss Post e-voting system for the first time in the votes of 18 June 2023. In all three cantons, the Swiss Abroad entered in the corresponding electoral register were entitled to vote electronically. 3616 Swiss Abroad allowed to vote in the three cantons used this new electronic voting channel, which corresponds to over half of those entitled. This shows that e-voting meets a need in the Fifth Switzerland.
The Swiss Abroad are also very supportive of e-voting: in a representative survey conducted by the Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBC), 72% were in favour of the introduction of e-voting.
Next step: federal elections
In view of the successful test runs and the broad support among the population, it is now up to the cantons to apply for approval for e-voting trials in the context of the 2023 National Council elections. Thurgau, St. Gallen and Basel-City have already expressed interest. Around 227,000 Swiss Abroad were entered in their canton's electoral register in December 2022. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity, is working to ensure that as many of them as possible can vote electronically in October – so that their votes are guaranteed to arrive on time.
A successful premiere for Swiss Post’s e-voting system
Swiss Post’s new e-voting system was used for the first time in the recent contest in the Cantons of Basel-Stadt, St. Gallen and Thurgau. The first 4239 people cast their electronic votes. Michael Egger, Head of E-voting at Swiss Post, sums up how things went and explains what’s next for e-voting.