During the federal
elections on 24 February 2008, 1516 electors voted online in the Neuchâtel canton. This sixth
attempt at using the electronic voting system at Neuchâtel for the federal
elections went off without a hitch. 4355 electors living in the Neuchâtel canton, let us say 8,596 % of the
electors had the option of choosing between the traditional voting system (
casting their votes in a ballot box or by post) and the electronic voting
system. The overall participation rose to 47,52% and 2,98% that is to say 1516
electors voted on the net. The system of e-voting worked perfectly during the
four weeks of trial. According to a press release of the federal chancellery at
Berne
Only the people who registered in advance at the single counter reserved for e voting set up by the administration of Neuchâtel could make use of this facility. The maximum number of e votes being limited to 6000.
This sixth attempt carried out in the context of the popular federal election is a step towards consolidating the system of e-voting in Neuchâtel. Neuchâtel, Geneva and Zurich are the three pilot cantons designated by the confederation to test the system of e-voting.
The trials made till now are still being assessed since e-voting is going to become the common practice in Switzerland.
