Despite security concerns: Düsseldorf City Council wants anonymous digital voting

The Düsseldorfer City Council is poised to adopt an online tool that would enable digital voting, including anonymous ballots, potentially impacting the credibility of parliamentary processes. This move signals a growing interest in digitizing governmental operations, yet it raises significant concerns regarding transparency and security in democratic decision-making. The initiative aims to streamline council work, but the implications for public trust in electoral integrity are substantial. The proposed digital voting system is provided by IT company OpenSlides, which also supports political parties, unions, and associations with organizational tools for speaking lists and votes. While OpenSlides products are utilized at various events, this marks the first instance of a German parliament considering its digital voting system for official use. The city council's planned amendment to its standing orders would formally permit digital and secret ballots via an internet service, following a legal opinion suggesting compliance. Despite proponents citing legal conformity and the potential for pseudonymous identification, critics, including the Chaos Computer Club, highlight inherent risks. They argue that the integrity of digital elections hinges on the flawless, tamper-proof functioning of technology, which is inherently difficult for voters and officials to independently verify. This echoes past concerns that led Germany's Federal Constitutional Court to halt the use of electronic voting machines in 2009, emphasizing the fundamental need for public verifiability of all critical election steps.