The Evolution of E-Voting and Civic Tech in Switzerland
Written on March, 2021
Swiss E-Voting History
Switzerland's journey in the realm of e-voting and civic tech has experienced many ups and downs, with advancements, setbacks, and ongoing developments. E-voting tests began in 2000, with multiple providers initially offering the necessary infrastructure. However, as the complexity of e-voting systems increased over the years, the number of providers decreased until only the Swiss Post remained. In 2019, after a bounty program revealed major security issues in its source code, the Swiss Post withdrew its e-voting services. This move led to the suspension of online voting, causing a significant impact on the country's digital democracy efforts. The challenges faced by the Swiss Post highlight the importance of addressing security and trust in e-voting systems and ensuring their reliability for the public.
Federal Government's Strategy and Public Consultations
Due to these developments, the Swiss federal government rearranged its e-voting strategy to address the issues that led to the suspension of online voting. One of the key actions taken by the government is the organization of public consultations. These consultations aim to gather input from citizens, experts, and other stakeholders to determine the best path forward for e-voting in Switzerland. The outcome of these consultations will influence the direction of e-voting in the country, which remains unclear. By involving the public in this decision-making process, the Swiss government is fostering transparency and actively seeking to address the concerns and needs of its citizens.
The Role of Civic Tech
A recent federal government report highlights the general topics and challenges surrounding civic tech, which is relevant not only to Switzerland but also to the international public. The report demonstrates the government's commitment to enhancing digital democracy and its understanding of the potential benefits and risks associated with civic tech. The report outlines three key areas of investment and progress for the federal government:
Establishing a data model covering the entire policy cycle, based on the Web Ontology Language. This data model aims to create a digital environment that can effectively display and manage all matters related to the policy cycle. By using a standardized language, the government hopes to improve information accessibility and transparency for citizens and stakeholders.
Digitizing and streamlining public consultations to make the process more efficient. The government plans to leverage digital technology to enhance the public consultation process, making it easier for citizens to voice their opinions on proposed laws and policies. The goal is to create a more inclusive and responsive democratic system that takes into account the diverse views of its citizens.
Investigating how the right to petition can be transferred to the digital realm. The government is exploring ways to digitize the petition process, making it easier for citizens to exercise their democratic rights and engage with the political process.
E-Collecting and the Future of Digital Democracy
E-collecting refers to the act of signing a popular initiative or referendum, which triggers citizen participation in votes. Currently, this process relies on paper signatures that require labor-intensive verification and counting by municipalities. Digitalizing this process could simplify and streamline the system, making it more accessible and efficient for citizens and government officials alike.
Although the federal government is not actively pushing for digital infrastructure in this area, several canton and state-level projects are in progress, showcasing the growing interest in digital democracy at the local level. These projects could serve as valuable testing grounds for new e-collecting methods and could potentially inform future federal initiatives.
In conclusion, Switzerland's journey in e-voting and civic tech has been a rollercoaster of developments and setbacks. While there is still much room for improvement, the government and civil society are actively working on solutions to advance digital democracy. The next few years will be an exciting time to observe and participate in this process, as new technologies and innovative approaches to digital democracy continue to evolve and reshape the way citizens engage with their governments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the digital transformation of government processes and civic engagement is an ongoing journey with numerous challenges and opportunities. Switzerland, like many other countries, is working towards improving its e-government services, digitizing parliamentary work, and implementing digital platforms for e-voting, e-collecting, and other civic tech initiatives. Both the federal government and the civil society are actively involved in developing innovative solutions and pushing the boundaries of digital democracy.
The next few years will be an exciting time to observe and participate in this process, as new technologies and innovative approaches to digital democracy continue to evolve and reshape the way citizens engage with their governments. As we look forward to the future, it is crucial to ensure that these digital transformations are inclusive, transparent, and secure, ultimately strengthening democratic institutions and fostering increased civic participation. By embracing the potential of digital technologies and collaborating with various stakeholders, governments can create a more accessible and efficient democratic landscape that empowers citizens and enhances their overall experience within the democratic process.