Verifiable Voting Systems

The introduction of technology into voting systems can bring a number of benefits, such as improving accessibility, remote voting, and efficient, accurate processing of votes. A voting system that uses electronic technology in any part of processing the votes, from vote capture and transfer through to vote tallying, is known as an e-voting system. In addition to the undoubted benefits, the introduction of such technology introduces particular security challenges, some of which are unique to voting systems because of their specific nature and requirements. The key role that voting systems play in democratic elections means that such systems must not only be secure and trustworthy, but must be seen by the electorate to be secure and trustworthy. This chapter emphasizes the challenge to reconcile the secrecy of the ballot, with demonstrable correctness of the result. © 2013 Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.