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iVote scrapped for NSW state election

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Candidates for Clarence in the upcoming state election have expressed their disappointment in the NSW Electoral Commissions decision to scrap the iVote online voting system.

Launched in 2011 by the Labor party, iVote provided eligible voters with the opportunity to cast their vote online or over the telephone in state elections and more recently local government elections.

“In 2022/2023, however, the current version of the iVote software used by the Electoral Commission will be phased out and the short runway for configuring and testing a new version before March 2023 means the Electoral Commissioner cannot be confident an updated system adapted for elections in NSW will be ready in time,” the NSW Electoral Commission said.

“The decision not to use iVote at the State general election in 2023 has not been driven by any concerns about cyber security matters in previous elections.”

Community Independent candidate Debrah Novak said she didn’t believe the decision to scrap iVote would impact her chances because people who vote at home are not bombarded by political marketing material and they already know who they’re going to vote for.

“The decision of the NSW Electoral Commission to pull iVote from the March election impacts not just our young people and those of us who live in regional NSW, it also impacts the vision impaired,” she said.

“The Blind Citizens Australia group condemned this decision and has published an open letter detailing their concerns as well as making a formal complaint to the United Nations.

“To rub salt into this political wound NSW also has a Disability Inclusion Plan which clearly the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet MP and the NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt have not read.

“To add further insult the NSW Electoral Commissioner doesn’t even have to vote, OMG how can that be!

“The unbelievable hypocrisy of this decision is, wait for it, to participate in the postal voting for the NSW March election, you have to register online to receive snail mail.”

Ms Novak said the NSW Coalition Government recently launched their State Economic Strategic Investment Plan bragging NSW is the digital capital of Australia.

“Clearly this economic plan is political spin because how can it take 12 years to get a digital voting platform working correctly when you have the finances, legislation, technicians and policy behind you and as an agency you choose to do nothing,” she said.

Nationals candidate for Clarence Richie Williamson also didn’t think scrapping iVote would affect his chances.

“The running of the election is a matter for the NSW electoral commission,” he said.

“There were some issues with the election iVoting system in the last Local Government elections, the community need to be assured the system is totally secure.”

Mr Williamson reminded constituents there are still alternatives to iVote.

“There are still a number of ways people can cast a vote, including postal votes, early voting and on polling day,” he said.

“Most residents would have received a NSW Nationals postal vote application in the mail over the past week or so.

“I don’t think it will affect the outcome of the election in Clarence.”

Greens Candidate Dr Greg Clancy said scrapping iVote would provide a significant impediment for some voters.

“This decision is unlikely to affect the final vote but will provide a significant impediment to those voters who would want to use it, including those who live remote from voting places, those with disabilities for whom iVote was originally devised and is essential in ensuring their votes are included and those who will be travelling or living interstate at the time of the election,” he said.

“The alternative for these voters is postal ballots and they take even more forward planning. Labor candidate for Clarence Dr Leon Ankersmit said it was disappointing that the iVoting option would not be available.

“This government has a gold medal for wasteful spending, so I am quite surprised that they suddenly think they need to save a few dollars,” he said.

“Proper funding of electoral processes is vital to ensure that our electoral system is beyond reproach and accessible for all voters, and it is disappointing that this option is not going to be available.”

After officially launching his campaign last weekend, Dr Ankersmit said he would be out on the hustings until election day.

“As a candidate I am fighting for every single vote I get regardless of how it is cast,” he said.

“After twenty years of the National Party taking the Clarence for granted it’s time for a fresh start and the people will be heard on 25 March.” 

Clarence Valley Independent 1 February 2023

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 1 February 2023.

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