Temptations of turnout and modernisation: E-voting discourses in the UK and The Netherlands

Purpose – The aim of the research described was to identify reasons for differences between discourses on electronic voting in the UK and The Netherlands, from a qualitative point of view. Design/methodology/approach – From both countries, eight e-voting experts were interviewed on their expectations, risk estimations, cooperation and learning experiences. The design was based on the theory of strategic niche management. A qualitative analysis of the data was performed to refine the main variables and identify connections. Findings – The results show that differences in these variables can partly explain the variations in the embedding of e-voting in the two countries, from a qualitative point of view. Key differences include the goals of introducing e-voting, concerns in relation to verifiability and authenticity, the role of the Electoral Commissions and a focus on learning versus a focus on phased introduction. Research limitations/implications – The current study was limited to two countries. More empirical data can reveal other relevant subvariables, and contribute to a framework that can improve our understanding of the challenges of electronic voting. Originality/value – This study shows the context-dependent character of discussions on information security. It can be informative for actors involved in e-voting in the UK and The Netherlands, and other countries using or considering electronic voting.