New methodology for calculating cost-efficiency of different ways of voting: is internet voting cheaper?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krimmer, Robert; Duenas-Cid, David; Krivonosova, Iuliia
• Is Part Of: Public money & management. Volume 41:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Activity-based costing -- convenience voting -- cost-efficiency -- elections -- internet voting -- multi-channel elections -- voting; Finance, Public -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Economic policy -- 1945-1964 -- Periodicals; 336.005
• DOI: 10.1080/09540962.2020.1732027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0962

Abstract

ABSTRACT: New ways of voting in elections are being sought by electoral administrations worldwide who want to reverse declining voter turnouts without increasing electoral budgets. This paper presents a novel approach to cost accounting for multi-channel elections based on local elections in Estonia. By doing so, it addresses an important gap in the academic literature in this field. The authors confirm that internet voting was most cost-efficient voting channel offered to Estonian voters. IMPACT: This paper presents a new, proven methodology for calculating the cost-efficiencies of various ways of voting. The authors provide rare data on electoral costs, including costs ranging from stationery to depreciation costs and provide a detailed cost breakdown of activities. The findings will have direct practical implications for electoral management bodies and policy-makers around the world.