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Online voting drives higher voter turnout in Town of Markham election, study finds

Nine in ten Markham e-voters say they are "very likely" to vote online in next election

MARKHAM, ON, June 8 - As the Internet continues to change the way we live, work and play, it is also starting to transform Canadian democracy. A report issued today by Delvinia Interactive, the Town of Markham's digital agency for the 2006 election, indicates that online voting engages typically apathetic and difficult-to-reach citizens in the democratic process and offers a solution to voter apathy. The Understanding the Digital Voter Experience report documents the surge in online voters in Markham's 2006 election and offers insight to municipal, provincial and federal levels of government that the benefits outweigh the risks associated with voting online.

Among the report's most significant findings:

• 91 per cent of those who voted online said they would be "very likely" to vote online in the future.
• One in five (21 per cent) Markham online voters said they did not vote at all in the 2003 municipal election.
• 88 per cent of online voters in 2006 cite "convenience" as their primary reason for voting online
• Markham saw online voting jump 48 per cent from 7,210 in 2003 to 10,639 online ballots cast in 2006.
• This contributed to an overall 2006 voter turnout of 37.6 per cent, well above the typical turnout of 28 per cent for a municipal election.

"Markham is a leader in technology, so it's important to deliver as many services as possible electronically," says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "It is key for us to make it easier for all residents to be part of our community and to participate in municipal elections. Overall, I continue to support Internet voting in Markham municipal elections."

Demand for online voting at municipal, provincial and federal levels

The Delvinia report indicates early adopters prefer voting online and would like to see it used by other levels of government and their peers. Ninety per cent of 2006 Markham online voters would be "very likely" to vote online if it was offered in a provincial election, while 89 per cent would do so for a federal election. Seventy-eight per cent of online voters were "very satisfied" with the online voting process, while 80 per cent said they would be very likely to recommend online voting to others. Seventy-nine per cent of online voters indicated that at least one other person in their household voted online in 2006.

"As politicians harness the power of the Internet to reach voters through websites, e-mail and blogging, why are citizens still forced to go offline to cast their ballots?" says Adam Froman, President & CEO, Delvinia Interactive. "It's only a matter of time before governments offer an Internet voting option and manage the associated risks - Markham demonstrates it can be done, and done successfully."

The report indicates that the Town of Markham's e-voter experience is working:

• 88 per cent of 2006 online voters cited convenience as their primary reason for voting online.
• 98 per cent of those who used the Markham Votes website found the information on it very useful or useful.
• 86 per cent of those who voted online did so from home.

Developing the e-voter experience

The site http://www.markhamvotes2006.ca acted as the primary communications hub for the Markham election, providing information on both online and 'in line' voting through compelling demos, video and animation.Traditional print and broadcast advertising, out-of-home, public relations, informational kiosks and voicemail broadcasts all worked together to raise awareness of Markham's online voting initiative. In 2006, Delvinia refreshed the site design, enabled mobile text message alerts and added an Add Your Voice feature that offers citizens the opportunity to sound off on the voting process and election issues.

About Understand the Digital Voter Experience: The Delvinia Report on Internet Voting in the 2006 Town of Markham Municipal Election

A total of 4,633 online voters in the 2006 Markham election responded to a questionnaire following the Markham election on November 13, 2006. The report, produced by Delvinia Interactive with results analyzed by Research Strategy Group, can be found at http://www.delvinia.com/egov.

About Delvinia Interactive

Delvinia interactive is a leader in the creation and implementation of interactive marketing strategies that deliver a true Digital Customer Experience. Founded in 1998 and based in Toronto, Delvinia integrates insight at every step of the digital and interactive process, from experience design and use of research to production, execution and measurement of results. Delvinia has received awards for its work from Sympatico/MSN, CMA, CANARIE and MarketingSherpa.

About the Town of Markham

The Town of Markham, located northeast of Toronto, is a municipality of more than 265,000 residents renowned for its small town appeal. Markham is a community that is an environmental leader, that embraces technological innovation, celebrates diversity and is characterized by healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods

For further information, or request an interview, please contact:
Robert Manne
Edelman
416-979-1120
robert.manne@edelman.com

Marjorie Rebane
Town of Markham Corporate Communications
905-479-7754

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