Internet voting the way of future

We are glad to see City council changed its views after consulting with local residents over the past two weeks.

We think council made the correct decision to take part in an Internet voting pilot project along with Edmonton, Strathcona County and St. Albert. (See story on page 1).

If all goes well, the residents will be able to vote in council and the mayor in October from the comfort of their own homes.

It is clear the Internet has changed the way we do many things. We can instantly talk to people thousands of kilometres away, look up the definition of anything in a split second and create something from nothing with the click of a button.

It was only a matter of time before it made its way into the democratic process.

As long as stringent privacy and proper procedures are included to prevent technical and personal identification breeches, we think technology should be used to its fullest potential.

Apparently, Airdrie residents agree and had the sense to make their opinions known to council.

Although aldermen were generally against the idea during a Jan. 21 council meeting, they took residents’ opinions into consideration and made the right choice.

The City has been an innovator in other Internet-related processes such as collecting Census information online, which staff has been doing since 2005. If we do not get ahead of new trends, we will be left behind.