Online Voting Enabled for 2003 CAS Elections

ARLINGTON, Va.— For the first time, the CAS electorate will have the option of submitting their ballots online during the 2003 CAS Elections. Fellows can still vote with the traditional paper ballot, but will be able to vote online if they register in advance.

Following the 2002 elections, the CAS conducted a sample informal survey to better understand nonvoting members' behavior. Several members noted that they had misplaced their paper ballot. An online ballot that is accessible 24 hours a day eliminates the need to track down a piece of paper. Voting will be as simple as visiting the CAS Web Site, clicking to the ballot, recording votes, and submitting the ballot. Voters will receive an e-mail confirmation that the ballot has been cast.

Online voting is faster and less expensive than using paper ballots, and online ballots can be flagged and corrected immediately. For example, if a voter selects five or more candidates on a ballot with four open board positions, the voter will be notified immediately that the ballot is invalid and should be fixed before final submission.

The online voting process will include all of the safeguards currently in place with the paper balloting system. Voters will have the ability to double-check their votes prior to final submission. Voter privacy is also maintained. Finally, safeguards will be in place to disallow repeat voting.

In order to vote online, Fellows will have to complete an online registration process. Fellows who register to vote online will not receive a paper ballot through the mail. The registration form and ballot are hosted on the same system, so if Fellows are able to register, they should be able to vote.

Voter registration is now open. Fellows who wish to cast their ballots online should register by following the link on the Election Information page on the CAS Web Site at www.casact.org/aboutcas/elections/.