Internet Elections in The Netherlands

In 2004 and 2006 experiments with internet voting were conducted. In 2004, Dutch voters living abroad could cast their vote for the European Parliament via the internet. In 2006, the same experiment was conducted during the Dutch Parliamentary elections. At present, these experiments are being evaluated.

 

Internet Voting for Dutch citizens living abroad in 2006

Registered Dutch voters living abroad may cast their ballot for the Dutch parliamentary elections through the internet.
Main purpose of this experiment will be to enhance voting facilities. The regular postal voting will still be available for the Dutch ex pats. After registration, the voters will be able to choose whether they want to cast their vote by internet or by post.
The Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations is in charge of the internet voting experiment.

Internet Voting experiments 2004 and 2006

In June 2004 the first experiment with internet- and telephone voting for Dutch voters living abroad was held and almost 5000 voters actually cast their vote through the internet for the European Parliament.
The experiment in 2006 differed from the 2004 experiment. In 2006:

• Voters could registrate to vote via www.kiezenuithetbuitenland.nl
• Voting would take place in five in stead of ten days
• Transparency would be improved
• Telephone Voting would not be available
• Authentication procedures would be more user-friendly

Internet Elections in the future in The Netherlands for all Dutch voters?

The results of the evaluation of the experiment will be used in a political debate about the implications and desirability of Internet Voting.