Associated Students of Madison recently announced the return of online polls for this spring's student government election. Given the election debacle last year, we hope the new online system is bug and corruption-free come April.
Despite the risk of returning to online balloting, we are glad ASM decided to reinstate online polls. Recalling the nightmare of the 2006 election, a technical glitch in online voting nullified the first batch of ballots. The UW Division of Information Technology, responsible for the web polls, also botched the second attempt.
Finally, students cast paper ballots in what ASM chair Dylan Rath deemed a ""successful"" election. Success in this instance meant 3 percent of students successfully exercised their right to vote. ASM Student Elections Commission estimated that 22.4 percent of students cast votes in the previous two referendums, indicating that repeated elections sow cynicism and reap fewer votes with each failed attempt.
ASM's decision to retry online polling is wise in terms of attracting ballots, but voter turnout does not imply voter confidence. ASM must run a smooth election if it hopes to restore faith in the legitimacy of its elected representatives.
To achieve this, we urge ASM to work closely with the online voting provider to ensure successful balloting. SEC must take caution, run tests and try to anticipate the types of malfunctions that made the system go haywire in 2006.
In addition to moving the vote online, ASM enacted positive campaign-season policies to prevent other voting corruptions. In a virtually unchallenged 3-1 vote, ASM passed 14 rules regulating candidate activities and student-election campaigning.
The decision to crack down on candidate-sponsored, unofficial polling stations shows admirable dedication to a fair voting process.
Student Judiciary Vice Chief Justice Sol Grosskopf complained that the new regulations would ""lower an already low voter turnout,"" but election success is not measured solely by turnout. Votes induced through harassment or intimidation distort actual voter intent and defy the fair electoral process.
We support the reinstatement of online voting as well as the ban on unofficial voting stations. However, election success requires that ASM work with its online voting provider to iron out any kinks that could precipitate nullified elections, paper balloting or the dreaded rebirth of Student Government.
