The Change Mariner

Online Voting Approved for Michigan Democrats

NYT:
The Michigan Democratic Party's plan to allow Internet voting in its presidential caucus won approval on Saturday from national Democrats.

Opponents said online balloting was not secure and discriminated against poor and minority voters, who are less likely to own computers.

The Michigan party will allow those participating in the Feb. 7 caucus to have the option of voting over the Internet, by mail or in person. Democrats in Arizona used the Internet in the presidential primary in 2000. Voter turnout was more than double the previous record and about 40 percent of the 86,000 ballots were cast online.

Twenty Michigan voters objected to the state party's plan, saying it would disadvantage poor and minority voters and be subject to fraud.

"The costs and risks of transacting ballots on the Internet really outweigh the benefits," said Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, which made the case against the plan to the Democratic National Committee.

The committee rejected the argument on a 23-to-2 vote.

Internet voting could benefit former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont, who has built significant support among Web users. A poll taken in Michigan last month shows Dr. Dean with a slight lead among likely caucusgoers, but his support jumps significantly among those who plan to vote by Internet.

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