Voter verification is one of the most important and most scrutinized parts of elections today. Whether verifying identity for a political vote or confirming eligibility in a condo association election, the workflows around identity verification can directly shape public trust. Done well, verification builds confidence. Done poorly, it risks frustration and even disenfranchisement.
As fraud attempts rise, more organizations and political parties are turning to digital identity verification (IDV) tools. But with new safeguards come new complaints: voters want simplicity and speed, while organizers must prioritize fairness and security. What must be taken into account, despite these complaints, voters are also happy with the opportunity to vote from home and after hours.
Last March, the Liberal Party reported that some voters were feeling disenfranchised by what they saw as a complex, multi-step verification process. Their spokesperson told the CBC: “This is actually the system working. If you’re not able to verify, there’s a reason you are not able to verify. We want to make sure that we are putting on a process that is secure and fair.” For the party, additional steps weren’t a failure of technology, but proof that safeguards were in place.
Other groups take a similar approach. A B.C. political party recently emphasized that foreign interference risks demand strict verification. As Executive Advisor Stefan Jonsson explained, “The party has a responsibility to the integrity of the election that only real people living in B.C. get a [single] ballot.”
Yet outside of political elections, the balance tips differently. Condo associations, for example, are more likely to prioritize ease and accessibility, allowing members to verify quickly from home so participation isn’t hindered. Professional regulatory bodies, on the other hand, often adopt a middle ground, requiring verification before annual votes to ensure only licensed members in good standing are able to cast ballots.
Why Workflows Differ:
Vaultie’s IDV technology can complete verification in as little as two minutes. Still, many clients choose to build longer workflows, layering in extra steps to reflect their specific risks and responsibilities. These extra steps take time, creating a delay in beginning the IDV process.
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