An Optical Scan E-Voting System based on N-Version Programming

• Published in: IEEE security & privacy Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. 47 - 53
• Main Authors: Goirizelaia, Iñaki, Selker, Ted, Huarte, Maider, Unzilla, Juanjo
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-05-2008; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Authentication; Character recognition; Data communication; Electronic voting; Electronic voting systems; Intrusion detection; N-version programming; Nominations and elections; Optical character recognition; Optical character recognition software; Programming; Prototypes; Recognition; Security; System testing; Tradeoffs; Vote Transmission; Voter's Authentication; Voters
• ISSN: 1540-7993; 1558-4046
• DOI: 10.1109/MSP.2008.57

This article presents Demotek, a multi-agent prototype for an electronic voting system based on optical character recognition technology. Trade-offs in voter training, ease of use, security, and coercion across various systems are considered for the purpose of recognizing achievable improvements. Based on the use of N-version programming techniques, we propose improvements to Demotek, including those in security and new capabilities. This case study demonstrates how the voter's authentication system and vote data transmission could further simplify and improve the electoral process by adding these new capabilities to the electronic voting system using N-version programming.