How Technology Is Changing Elections Worldwide
As voters across Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, and other cities in the GTA head to the polls today, the conversation around election technology continues to evolve. While Canada primarily relies on paper ballots, many countries have begun integrating new technologies to streamline elections, improve security, and increase voter accessibility.
Here are some of the biggest election technology trends shaping the way people vote worldwide:
1. Biometric Voter Authentication
Countries like India and Ghana have implemented biometric voter verification to prevent fraud. By using fingerprint or facial recognition at polling stations, these systems ensure that each voter casts only one ballot.
- Example: India’s Aadhaar-based authentication is being used for voter verification trials, linking voter IDs with biometric data.
2. Blockchain-Based Voting Systems
Estonia has been a pioneer in using blockchain technology to secure its digital voting system. This ensures tamper-proof election results and allows citizens to vote remotely.
- Example: Estonia’s i-Voting system has allowed online voting since 2005, with over 46% of voters using it in recent elections.
3. Mobile Voting Apps for Accessibility
Some countries are testing mobile voting apps to make elections more accessible for citizens abroad and people with disabilities. West Virginia in the U.S. allowed overseas military personnel to vote via a blockchain-based mobile appin 2018.
- Example: In Moscow, Russia, blockchain-based mobile voting was tested for local elections, but concerns over security remain.
4. AI & Machine Learning in Election Security
Governments are using AI to detect misinformation, flag election fraud, and analyze voter behavior. AI tools are also helping election commissions identify cybersecurity threats in real time.
- Example: The European Union deployed AI-driven systems to combat deepfake political ads and election-related disinformation.
5. RFID & NFC for Voter ID Verification
Countries like Mexico and Brazil have started using RFID-enabled voter ID cards to speed up voter check-ins at polling stations. These cards store encrypted voter data and reduce the risk of identity fraud.
- Example: In Brazil, the government has integrated RFID chips into electronic voting machines to ensure secure and efficient voting processes.
As Ontario Votes, the Future of Elections is Digital
While today’s Ontario election remains largely paper-based, global trends suggest that digital and automated solutions will play a larger role in the future. As Canada explores ways to modernize the voting process, it may look to these international innovations to improve efficiency, security, and accessibility in future elections.
Would digital voting work in Ontario? That’s a conversation for another day. For now, all eyes remain on today’s elections.
