The NSW iVote online voting system has resumed after being suspended for several hours on Tuesday 17 March to correct an issue with the way the Legislative Council, or Upper House , ballot paper was displayed. The registration and verification systems are fully functional.
The system which was developed by NSW electoral comission enables NSW residents with disabilities, people with limited mobility and those in regional and remote areas to cast a secret and independent vote in the lead up to, and on Election Day.
The right to a confidential and independent vote is something that many people take for granted. And, for people who are blind or have low vision it still remains out of reach in many circumstances.
The NSW electoral comission developed iVote in 2011 and leads the way of the nation in terms of accessible voting. The web based platform can be accessed via a registered voters own, familiar technology. Smartphones and other mobile internet devices mean that it can be accessed from, just about, anywhere. There is also an automated telephone system and, those less confident with technology can opt for human assistance via the telephone.
About 19,000 voters had used the system to cast their votes using the phone or internet since it opened on Tuesday 17 March.
Electoral Commission spokesman Richard Carroll said the votes cast so far are still valid but people could check their vote by logging back into the system. If required, voters can also choose to cancel their vote and revote.
To achieve greater access for all Australians, Vision Australia is calling on candidates in the NSW election, to commit to promoting the iVote system to the Australian Electoral Commission for use in federal and other state and territory elections.
Similar to postal voting, registration for iVote opened at 10am (EDST) Thursday, 12 February 2015 and closes at 1pm (EDST) on Saturday, 28 March 2015.
The system which was developed by NSW electoral comission enables NSW residents with disabilities, people with limited mobility and those in regional and remote areas to cast a secret and independent vote in the lead up to, and on Election Day.
The right to a confidential and independent vote is something that many people take for granted. And, for people who are blind or have low vision it still remains out of reach in many circumstances.
The NSW electoral comission developed iVote in 2011 and leads the way of the nation in terms of accessible voting. The web based platform can be accessed via a registered voters own, familiar technology. Smartphones and other mobile internet devices mean that it can be accessed from, just about, anywhere. There is also an automated telephone system and, those less confident with technology can opt for human assistance via the telephone.
About 19,000 voters had used the system to cast their votes using the phone or internet since it opened on Tuesday 17 March.
Electoral Commission spokesman Richard Carroll said the votes cast so far are still valid but people could check their vote by logging back into the system. If required, voters can also choose to cancel their vote and revote.
To achieve greater access for all Australians, Vision Australia is calling on candidates in the NSW election, to commit to promoting the iVote system to the Australian Electoral Commission for use in federal and other state and territory elections.
Similar to postal voting, registration for iVote opened at 10am (EDST) Thursday, 12 February 2015 and closes at 1pm (EDST) on Saturday, 28 March 2015.