[20030923]RS20639_互联网投票.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20639Updated September 23, 2003Internet VotingKevin ColemanAnalyst in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryAmongthemanyissues in theongoingnational discussionabout theInternet is itsuse in the voting process. Because voting determines who runs the government andentails two absolute requirements the secret ballot and security from fraud thestakes are higher than for manyother transactions routinelyconducted via the Internet.Publicconfidenceabout Internet securityisincreasing,butmanyfeelthatvotingonlinerequires a degree of security from fraud beyond the current standard for everydayInternetuse.TheNationalDefenseAuthorizationActforFY2002andtheHelpAmericaVote Act of 2002 included provisions to extend a pilot project for Internet voting on alimitedbasisandtoconductanin-depthstudyforCongressonthefeasibilityofInternetvoting on a national basis.Aside from voting issues, observers often refer to a “digital divide” that existsbetween those who have access to computers and the Internet (and the skills to use it)and those who do not. While Internet