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 The BBC's Philippa Thomas in Arizonaon the world's first online political vote  real 28k  |
Arizonans vote in cyberspace
Online voting may make polling booths obsolete
By Philippa Thomas in Arizona
The world's first online political vote takes place on Saturday in the American state of Arizona, where local Democrats are holding a primary to choose their favourite presidential candidate.
Thousands of party members have had the option of going to the polls, mailing in votes, or just clicking on their choice at the party website.
The world's first online political vote takes place on Saturday in the American state of Arizona, where local Democrats are holding a primary to choose their favourite presidential candidate.
Thousands of party members have had the option of going to the polls, mailing in votes, or just clicking on their choice at the party website.
It's the first time in the world that a legally binding election will be held over the internet  |
Cortland Coleman
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Breaking new political ground is reminiscent of the pioneer feel that still exists in the Arizona desert.
Arizona Democrats are hoping to start a 21st Century trend: a new kind of democracy, the choice of voting from your own home computer.
Security top concern
"It's absolutely historic," said Cortland Coleman, the political director of the Arizona Democratic Party.
"It's the first time in the world that a legally binding election will be held over the internet."
The party will use hi-tech security to ensure the legitimacy of the election, he said.
"That was one of our top concerns, security and access to the internet, when we started this process."
Virtual polling station
It is all good news for the people of Arizona's Sun City, one of the country's largest retirement communities.
The home of Dennis and Roberta Jensen has become a virtual polling station for 30 of their nearest neighbours.
"I think people like the idea of being participants in something that's never been done before," Mr Jensen said.
Even more significantly, he expects the internet to attract young people to the polls.
"This is the language they understand.
"These people haven't been voting in recent elections, so it's our intent to make it easy for those people to vote, and hopefully they will."
Way of the future
Of course, many will still have to - or want to - vote the traditional way.
But 50% of American households are now online, with more logging on every day.
With the right equipment, an Arizona Democrat could vote from almost anywhere on Saturday. And where Arizona leads, others could follow.
States from California to Florida have appointed taskforces to look at online voting.
This could be the start of a world wide digital phenomenon.
Arizona Democrats are hoping to start a 21st Century trend: a new kind of democracy, the choice of voting from your own home computer.
Security top concern
"It's absolutely historic," said Cortland Coleman, the political director of the Arizona Democratic Party.
 Arizona voters are keen to blaze cyber-trials
|
The party will use hi-tech security to ensure the legitimacy of the election, he said.
"That was one of our top concerns, security and access to the internet, when we started this process."
Virtual polling station
It is all good news for the people of Arizona's Sun City, one of the country's largest retirement communities.
The home of Dennis and Roberta Jensen has become a virtual polling station for 30 of their nearest neighbours.
 Dennis Jensen: Keen to see young people vote
|
Even more significantly, he expects the internet to attract young people to the polls.
"This is the language they understand.
"These people haven't been voting in recent elections, so it's our intent to make it easy for those people to vote, and hopefully they will."
Way of the future
Of course, many will still have to - or want to - vote the traditional way.
But 50% of American households are now online, with more logging on every day.
With the right equipment, an Arizona Democrat could vote from almost anywhere on Saturday. And where Arizona leads, others could follow.
States from California to Florida have appointed taskforces to look at online voting.
This could be the start of a world wide digital phenomenon.
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