Press Releases

City of Edmonton Puts Scytl’s Internet Voting System to the Test as Voters Choose Favourite Jellybeans

Scytl’s Internet voting system being evaluated by the public with regard to voter privacy, security, auditability & usability for use by City of Edmonton in future binding elections beginning in 2013

TORONTO, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Beginning today, the City of Edmonton, Alberta’s Election & Census Office is inviting the public to test Scytl’s internet voting system through the casting of online ballots in the 2012 Jellybean Internet Voting Election. The Jellybean Election will help the City determine if the system meets Edmontonians’ expectations for voter privacy, security, auditability and usability as well as to gauge their readiness to use internet voting as a valid alternative to in-person voting.

“We are very excited about this innovative, fun and true-to-life mock election that we are undertaking using Scytl’s system,” said Laura Kennedy, Director of Elections for the City of Edmonton. “Our next General Election will take place on October 21, 2013. Therefore, we want to get as much information as possible on the security, usability and other attributes of Scytl’s internet voting solution as well as general feedback from voters on their comfort level in using internet voting as an option during next year’s General Election.”

Anyone interested in taking a trial run on Scytl’s internet voting system during this mock election, whether a citizen of Edmonton or not, is urged to register between 8am MST on October 8th and 12 noon MST on November 1st. Once a voter’s registration has been accepted, the voter will be issued a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that is required in order to vote in the Jellybean Election. Voting takes place between 8am MST on October 22nd and 12 noon MST on November 2nd. Voters can register to vote and cast ballots for their favourite jellybeans at www.edmonton.ca/internetvoting. Voters will be able to choose whether they prefer black, green, red or yellow jellybeans and then make choices in one of several randomly provided entertainment and food categories.

Results of the Jellybean Election will be issued to the public within a few hours after voting ends on November 2nd. The Edmonton Election & Census Office will be issuing a detailed report on the performance of the system to the Edmonton City Council. Councilors will decide whether to implement internet voting with the Scytl system as an option for traveling voters and those who cannot easily vote in-person on Election Day due to accessibility challenges.

“We are very pleased to be working with the City of Edmonton on this large-scale internet voting evaluation,” said Susan Crutchlow, General Manager of Scytl Canada. “Scytl’s internet voting platform has been used in elections in Canada and throughout the world with much success. Edmonton’s Jellybean Election is a great way for voters to try out internet voting in a fun way while giving helpful feedback to their election officials.”

For more information about internet voting in Edmonton and the Jellybean Election 2012, please see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moVfLwzx-ZM&feature=youtu.be. To learn about security and privacy using Scytl’s internet voting solution during the Jellybean Election, please visit http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/internet-voting-security.aspx. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about internet voting in Edmonton and the Jellybean Election can be found at http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/internet-voting-frequently-asked-questions.aspx#38558. Please visit www.edmonton.ca/internetvoting where new videos and additional information will be posted regularly.

ABOUT SCYTL

Scytl is a worldwide leader in the development of secure technology solutions for the modernization of elections. Scytl’s election solutions have been used successfully in public elections by governments in countries that include Australia, Austria, Canada, France, India, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company is based in Barcelona with offices in Toronto, New Delhi, Athens, Baltimore, Maryland and Tampa, Florida. Scytl is a portfolio company of leading international VC funds Nauta Capital, Balderton Capital and Spinnaker SCR. More information is available at www.scytl.com.

Michelle M. Shafer
512.567.4740
michelle.shafer@scytl.com

Source: Scytl