Internet Voting: Will Australians Use the Internet to Vote?
Rachel P. Thompson, Meredith Lawley · USC Research Bank (University of the Sunshine Coast) · 2002
The possibility of voting using the internet is a reality. Public elections are one arena where internet voting has the potential to make considerable cost savings if it is widely adopted by voters. This research considers the question of ‘What are the factors influencing the adoption of internet voting by eligible Australian voters?’ by developing three competing models of behavioural intention based on a literature review, depth interviews and focus groups. These models are then tested with data gathered from a mail survey with responses from 172 eligible Australia voters. Results indicate that five key factors influence voters to use the internet: convenience, environment, utilitarian outcomes, security issues and level of knowledge. This research contributes to theory through development of the first models of behavioural intention regarding internet voting and in practical terms can be of use to electoral commissions and politicians for the development and implementation of internet voting strategies.