UK E-Voting: A Lost Opportunity for Participatory Democracy

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Author(s): Mark Liptrott (Edge Hill University, UK)
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 16
Source title: Politics, Democracy and E-Government: Participation and Service Delivery
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Christopher G. Reddick (University of Texas at San Antonio, USA )
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-933-0.ch011

Keywords: Electronic Government / Government & Law / Information Science Reference

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Abstract

This chapter evaluates the UK government strategy to promote electronic voting through the public policy process as an integral part of the e-government agenda to enhance participatory democracy. It argues that the formulation of the present policy is flawed as it lacks a diffusion strategy to enhance the likelihood of policy adoption. The electoral modernisation policy arose from concerns regarding the falling voter turnout at elections and is being introduced via local authorities through a series of voluntary pilot schemes. If issues influencing local authority pilot participation are not resolved e-voting may be permanently rejected by local elected representatives and so will not be available to citizens. This author identifies variables influencing pilot participation and suggests a revised public policy model incorporating selected diffusion concepts at the formulation stage of the linear policy process. The model is used to propose recommendations to enhance the likelihood of voluntary adoption of a policy introduced by central government for voluntary implementation by local government.

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UK E-Voting: A Lost Opportunity for Participatory Democracy

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