It's no secret that the Internet has played an increasing role in Canadian election campaigns over the past decade.  Alongside the Internet's mainstream acceptance in the mid 1990's, we saw the first candidate and party websites emerge during the 1997 federal election.  Over time, we have seen the Internet's role in elections evolve, adding new capabilities with each campaign.

A evolving phenomenon is the opportunity to cast a ballot through the Internet.  The Town of Markham, just north of Toronto, will be allowing residents the opportunity to vote via the web during the advance poll cycle of its municipal elections scheduled for early November.  This will be the Town's second attempt at Internet voting, having experimented with it in 2003.

While Markham is not the first jurisdiction to attempt Internet voting (the Arizona Democratic Party used the Internet for its Primary in March 2000), the reality that Internet voting is here, and may be here to stay, is cause for both celebration and concern.

Advantages to Internet voting include offering residents the ability to vote from the convenience of your home, office or wherever you are wired.  With voter turnout dwindling, casting a ballot via the web would likely increase the turnout for election campaigns, eliminating line-ups and attracting younger voters at the same time.

However, there are some considerable drawbacks.  While residents would be required to register and establish a password for their Internet ballot, there aren't any measures in place to ensure that the ballot remains with the resident.  It is conceivable that they could sell their PIN numbers, allowing others to cast their ballot.  Interestingly, the Town of Markham does have a disclaimer saying that Internet voting "in no way releases electors, candidates and others from acting within the spirit of the legislation".

It seems that for the time being the success of Internet voting will depend on the integrity of the elector.  The only question that remains is, can you spoil a ballot online?