Voting Security Flashcards
What are key security requirements for voting systems?
- Integrity: Votes are cast and counted as intended.
- Secrecy: Voting remains private.
- Authentication: Only authorized voters can vote.
- Enfranchisement: All eligible voters can cast their vote.
Name some trade-offs in voting system design.
Integrity vs. Secrecy
Authentication vs. Enfranchisement
Cost vs. Usability and Accessibility
What are some types of election fraud?
Retail Fraud: Individual-level manipulation during voting.
Wholesale Fraud: Tampering with the vote counting process.
Insider Fraud: Carried out by officials with access to election infrastructure.
Outsider Fraud: External interference by non-official entities.
How does paper enhance voting security?
Provides a physical audit trail.
Counters cyber-tampering in electronic systems.
Combines mechanical fail-safes with digital efficiency.
What are key issues with Direct-Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines?
Lack of paper trails.
Vulnerable to software errors and intentional tampering.
Poor coding practices and duplicate card vulnerabilities.
What is a Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)?
A system where DRE machines print a paper record of the vote, allowing for audits.
What challenges exist in voter registration systems?
Errors in database matching (e.g., with driving licenses).
Risks of fraudulent updates to voter rolls.
Security vs. privacy concerns as voter records are often public.
What are common voter authentication methods?
ID cards (e.g., driving licenses, passports).
Signature matching.
Risk: 11% of the U.S. population lacks government-issued IDs, disproportionately affecting minorities.
What are risks of absentee voting?
Ballot theft.
Vote buying.
Coercion and misdirection.
Why is online voting considered insecure?
Vulnerable to malware, imposter websites, and DOS attacks.
Risks of state-sponsored attacks and advanced persistent threats (APTs).
Why is auditing important in elections?
Ensures votes match outcomes.
Combines redundancy (paper and electronic) to verify results.
Builds voter confidence.
What is a Statistical Risk-Limiting Audit?
A process that statistically ensures that a manual count would yield the same results as the electronic tally
What are best practices for usability in voting systems?
Clear instructions and plain language.
Consistent layout and color usage.
Accessibility features like audio voting and large fonts.
How can voting systems accommodate `accessibility needs?
Provide voter assistance where necessary.
Use ballot markers and audio-enabled voting machines.
