That turnout among younger voters is lower than the average is common across the western world, yet they have shown a clear predilection for voting in other walks of life, often contributing to television talent shows via their mobile devices.  Could providing mobile voting encourage similar enthusiasm for political contests?

That was the question posed by a recent study from the University of Chicago, which examined elections in West Virginia, which was the first US state to use mobile voting in a federal election to allow people living abroad to participate.

“When West Virginia registered voters living abroad had the opportunity to vote online, they were six to nine percentage points more likely to request a ballot, mobile or otherwise, and three to five percentage points more likely to actually cast a ballot,” the researchers explain.

Voter turnout

The researchers believe their findings underline the power of mobile voting to significantly increase turnout, while also reducing the costs associated with voting.  Alas, there are numerous hurdles to overcome, as many Americans have expressed concern about online voting, not least due to perceived security flaws.

“The effects of voting online could potentially be even greater if it were implemented in a more convenient way or for a population that didn’t have to first submit a Federal Post Card Application in order to receive a ballot.” the researchers continue. “Mobile voting could have a profound impact on increasing voter turnout and potentially reduce inequalities in participation.”

The option to vote via mobile phone not only boosted turnout, but the data showed that around half of the voters doing so via the app would not have otherwise voted without that option being available.  As such, the authors believe that not only can mobile voting increase turnout, but the impact is greater than pretty much any other form of electoral form, whether postal voting, early voting or other forms of intervention.

What’s more, these results were achieved despite overseas voters having to request mobile access by submitting a Federal Post Card Application, so the authors believe even stronger results could have been achieved if things were more convenient.

It should be said that the West Virginia trial was relatively small and the criteria around it relatively narrow, but the authors still believe that the results should prompt a second look at the opportunities of mobile voting to drive greater voter turnout.

The potential could be even greater than that achieved in West Virginia if it was made easier to vote via a mobile device, and the authors remind us that despite people expressing concerns about security, most still elected to vote via mobile when given the chance to do so.  This suggests that while not dismissing the security issues involved in mobile voting, it’s something well worth pursuing.

“Policymakers must consider the potential voting online offers to increasing the number of voters participating in elections while taking seriously the potential security risks,” the researchers conclude