Whether you tick a box, pull a lever or punch a chad, voting always involves showing up at the polling station.
But The City of North Vancouver would like to change that.
Later this month, city delegates will be urging the Union of B.C. Municipalities to take up the issue of online voting with the province. The city has also independently written to Victoria to suggest the government examine the possibility of voting from home with a click of a mouse.
"I think it's inevitable," said Coun. Guy Heywood. "Our view is that it should get encouragement, but I'd love to see jurisdictions like the City of Vancouver be on the bleeding edge. As a small municipality we can follow their lead and avoid some of the implementation issues."
Heywood, who was a key player on the city's civic engagement task force, said any new system would have to retain some of the traditional voting methods as well.
"You would have to keep the option open for seniors and so on. But we provide banks of computers at our recreation centres," he said. "So you can create different 'customer experiences' tailored to the group you're trying to reach."
Heywood acknowledged that online security was a serious concern, but one that could be overcome.
"I participated in the Liberal leadership contest, which was online. In any mature democracy, it seems eminently possible.
"It's a big concern. But let's get our concerns in order - our bigger concern is getting more people out to vote and involved in the process."
