Vote Counting Research Articles

Financial incentives for physical activity in adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis update.

To update the evidence on the effects of financial incentives (FI) on physical activity (PA) in adults. A systematic search of nine databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, EconLit, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane) was conducted to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and pilot RCTs published between June 1, 2018 and March 31, 2024 examining FI-for-PA interventions. 'Vote counting' and random-effects meta-analyses assessed short- (<6 months) and long-term (≥6 months) FI effects, as well as impact during follow-up (incentive withdrawal). Meta-regressions examined moderator effects. Twenty-nine studies (n = 21 RCT, n = 8 pilot RCTs; median FI size = $1.19 USD/day) involving 9604 participants were included (60.8 % female, mean age = 42.7 years). 17 of 21 studies reported positive short-term effects. 5 of 5 and 3 of 8 studies, respectively, reported positive long-term and follow-up effects. Among the 15 studies included in daily step count meta-analyses (most commonly reported PA outcome), FI had a moderate effect during short-term interventions (standardized mean difference [SMD] [95 % CI] = 0.52 [0.25-0.78], p < 0.001) and a small effect in follow-up (SMD [95 % CI] = 0.20 [0.01-0.40], p = 0.04). Too few long-term studies reported daily step count to conduct pooled analyses (n = 1). Meta-regressions suggest study length, incentive size, wearable device-use, and goal setting moderate FI effects (p < 0.05). Twenty-nine studies were identified over a 6-year span. Short-term FI interventions increase PA. The impact on daily step count is clinically significant (≥1000 steps/day). Key contextual factors moderate effects. Evidence is limited regarding long-term and follow-up effects.

Vote Method and Confidence in Elections

Might voters’ experience with how they cast ballots affect their confidence in votes being accurately counted? We analyze how vote modality shapes voters’ confidence in the accuracy of the vote count, particularly when one method of voting is called into question to challenge the legitimacy of an election. Drawing on a large panel survey of validated voters conducted before and after the 2020 General Election, we find that voters in Florida who voted by mail in the last two general elections were more confident that votes would be accurately counted in the state than those who voted in person in the previous two general elections, despite claims by elites that mail ballots were fraudulent. We also find that voters who cast validated mail ballots became more confident that votes were accurately counted in the election. Panel data reveals that voters who previously cast mail ballots, as well as voters who voted by mail in 2020, were no less confident than their counterparts in votes being accurately counted in the election. Building on existing research examining voting and confidence in elections, our study offers new evidence that voters’ actual experience with a voting method might mitigate perceived threats to election integrity.

Efficacy of probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic and postbiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal health in cats: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The clinical efficacy of the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics (biotics) in cats is unknown, despite their use in daily practice. The objectives of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of biotic supplementation in treating and preventing gastroenteropathies, and in reducing gastrointestinal signs associated with antibiotics in cats. A systematic review was conducted by searching four databases for publications before August 2, 2024, following a pre-registered protocol. Eligible publications were trials involving healthy cats or those with gastroenteropathies, supplemented with biotics (and an inactive control), studying outcomes such as faecal consistency, faecal microbiota or vomiting. Risk of bias and quality of reports were assessed. Effects were synthesised by meta-analyses and vote counting based on direction of effect. Certainty of evidence was rated using GRADE approach. Twenty reports were included, presenting unclear or low risk of bias. The evidence did not permit a high-confidence evaluation of the effectiveness of biotics, although five of the seven probiotic trials showed beneficial effects on faecal consistency. Synbiotics presented no clinically relevant effect in reducing antibiotics-associated vomiting, with very low certainty, in a meta-analysis including 32 adult cats. Probiotics significantly reduce the Bacillota/Actinomycetota ratio, with low certainty, in a meta-analysis involving 34 healthy young-adult cats. Following vote counting, probiotics improved immune profile in young cats, and increased butyric acid concentration in healthy cats. Current data highlight the need for further research, especially focused on at-risk groups and sick cats, before advocating the use of biotic supplementation.

A Survey on Decentralized Voting System Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract: A decentralized voting system utilizing blockchain technology offers a transformative approach to traditional election processes. This innovative method addresses several challenges, including low voter turnout, security vulnerabilities, lack of transparency, potential vote tampering, and delays in result processing. This paper focuses on the design and development of a smart contract-based online voting system, leveraging the Ethereum blockchain as its foundation. The proposed system eliminates the necessity for intermediaries by utilizing blockchain's immutable and distributed ledger, thereby securing votes and facilitating a fully auditable voting process. Smart contracts are employed to automate voter registration, ballot generation, and vote counting, which helps minimize errors and enhance operational efficiency. Furthermore, the Ethereum network enforces a one-vote-per-voter policy through the Gas token mechanism, effectively preventing duplicate voting and ensuring the integrity of elections. A proof-of-concept application is presented and tested with simulated voting data, demonstrating the system's capability to maintain anonymity while ensuring the integrity of the voting process. This research highlights the potential of blockchain technology to bolster voter confidence, increase participation, and reduce election costs.

Application of benford's law in the results of the 2023 presidential elections, second round in ecuador

Benford's Law is a statistical tool used to analyze the distribution of digits in a dataset. This law posits that, in many cases, the first digit of a number is not random but follows a specific distribution, with the digit 1 being the most common, followed by 2, 3, and so on. This article analyzed the application of Benford's Law, through the distribution of the first digits of numbers across various datasets, to the results of the 2023 presidential elections, second round, in Ecuador. The objective was to detect potential anomalies or manipulations in the vote count. The authors used the official data published by the National Electoral Council of Ecuador and compared it with the expected values according to Benford's Law. The results showed that most provinces complied with Benford's Law, with some exceptions that could be attributed to random factors or irregularities. The authors conclude that Benford's Law is a useful, though not definitive, tool for assessing the integrity of electoral processes

Legal Aspects of Election Administration Decisions Stages of Vote Counting Recapitulation in Pidie Jaya Regency

The 2024 general election in Indonesia is seen as procedurally successful in its implementation. However, if viewed substantially and in terms of fulfilling the aspect of justice, there are still many legal problems. The purpose of the study was to determine the legal aspects of the considerations of the correction decision by Bawaslu RI and the evidence process by Bawaslu Pidie Jaya in handling administrative violations of the recapitulation stage of the vote count of the election. This research is normative legal research, in its implementation it was carried out using a statute approach and a case approach and to strengthen secondary data, the reviewer added field data (field research) for primary data collection by conducting interviews. The results of the study showed the considerations and rulings of Bawaslu RI which stated that the reported party II was not involved and there were no facts stating that Reported Party II had committed an unlawful act according to the Pidie Jaya Regency Bawaslu Decision Number 001 / LP / ADM.PL / BWSL.KAB / 01.22 / III / 2024, according to the Reviewer, the considerations of Bawaslu RI in its decision No. 003/KS/ADM.PL/BWSL/00.00/111/2024 seen from the legal principle only emphasizes the principle of legal certainty alone and ignores the facts that occurred in the field during the recapitulation process of the vote count by ignoring the principle of legal benefit and the verdict of the Indonesian Election Supervisory Body which ordered the PPK to make improvements to the recapitulation of the vote count for DPRK candidates in Bandar Baru District based on C Results-DPRK caused legal problems and in its implementation caused problems. In the decision to handle administrative violations committed by the Pidie Jaya Regency Election Supervisory Body, the examination and evidence process has not been carried out effectively to find trial facts, so improvements are needed in the enforcement of election law in the future to provide justice and legal benefits.

The Use of Blockchain to Prevent Vote Manipulation in E-Voting for Electronic General Meetings of Shareholders in Indonesia

Digitalization in Indonesia continues to evolve. One of the many developments that will be discussed in this paper is the implementation of an electronic General Meeting of Shareholders (GMS). There is an institution that has been appointed by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), namely the Indonesian Central Securities Depository (KSEI) which has created a system called eASY.KSEI as the basis for implementing the GMS electronically. In its implementation, several weaknesses were found in this system, such as the absence of direct vote counting, lack of data transparency, and potential vote manipulation. This research was conducted to provide an understanding that efforts are needed to continuously update the existing system to prevent these things from happening. The use of Blockchain as a new e-voting system in electronic GMS is a worthy endeavor. This paper uses an exploratory research method. Existing data is obtained through literature studies in the form of books and current journals that are in accordance with the research topic. From the research conducted, it can be seen that the use of Blockchain is able to overcome the weaknesses in the eASY.KSEI system, such as a decentralized system, data immutability, and data transparency.

Multi party confidential verifiable electronic voting scheme based on blockchain

The current electronic voting system ensures the confidentiality of the ballot but does not explicitly address the anonymity of the voter’s identity. The voting process is entirely managed by smart contracts, which diminishes the efficiency of contract execution and poses challenges for achieving large-scale voting. There is a lack of comprehensive explanation regarding the voting process and the verifiability of ballot information. This article introduces a multi-party secure verifiable electronic voting scheme based on blockchain technology. The solution uses IPFS distributed file system to alleviate the problem of limited block storage. The task allocation and vote counting processes are managed separately through management and computation contracts to improve efficiency. Ring signature technology is used to ensure the anonymity of voting identities. The vote counting process uses a key-sharing system to ensure the privacy of the votes, and the calculation results are encrypted and uploaded to the blockchain, making them verifiable. Finally, a security proof and performance analysis of the scheme were conducted.

Prevention and Health Promotion Interventions for Young People in the Context of Digital Well-Being: Rapid Systematic Review.

Increasing digital technology and media use among young people has raised concerns about problematic use and negative consequences. The formal recognition of a technology addiction (eg, gaming disorder) requires an understanding of the landscape of interventions designed to prevent this disorder and related technology addictions. We conducted a rapid systematic review to investigate the current evidence on approaches to prevent problematic technology use and promote digital well-being, defined as the healthy use of digital media and technology and the absence of problems resulting from excessive use. We used a pragmatic and rapid approach to systematically review and synthesize recent literature with a focus on contextual factors that can aid in understanding translatability, making trade-offs appropriate for rapid reviews per the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. We searched multiple databases, including gray literature, for primary studies and systematic reviews of prevention interventions targeting children, adolescents, and youth. We extracted data on study characteristics, quality, and translatability and synthesized evidence through narrative description and vote counting of controlled trials. Data are openly available on our Open Science Framework website. We found 6416 citations, of which 41 (0.64%) were eligible for inclusion (6 reviews and 35 primary studies of 33 interventions). Most interventions (26/33, 79%) combined intervention approaches and included an education component. Synthesis through vote counting showed benefits for all forms of digital well-being. Both included meta-analyses reported small positive effects on reductions of screen time. However, study reporting was overall lacking, impairing the ability to draw conclusions. As digital technology use increases, interventions to prevent problematic technology use and promote digital well-being continue to proliferate. Understanding context factors that influence healthy technology use and understanding the limitations of the current evidence are vital for informing future research. This review demonstrates positive findings for the effectiveness of prevention interventions and describes factors that may contribute to translation and implementation. Future research would benefit from following appropriate reporting guidelines, reporting both the benefits and harms of interventions, and including greater detail on factors informing translation. PROSPERO CRD42023444387; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=444387.

Causes of COVID-19 Outbreaks During Sports and Exercise: A Systematic Review.

Physical activity is beneficial for preventing non-communicable and infectious diseases, such as pneumonia. Physical activity is also a potential protective factor for reducing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Conversely, outbreaks of respiratory viral infections are more likely to occur owing to group activities, opportunities for contact with individuals and vocalisations. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of COVID-19 outbreaks during various sports and exercise have been reported. However, the common causes underlying these outbreaks remain unclear. The objective of this study is to identify the causes of COVID-19 outbreaks during sports and exercise using systematic review approach. Our eligibility criteria were published articles reporting case investigation on COVID-19 outbreaks and the cause during sports and exercise. Studies such as reviews and observational studies without case investigations were excluded. PubMed, CINAHL, WHO COVID-19 Research Database and Ichushi Web were searched on 28 August 2023. The quality of included studies was rated using a quality criteria checklist adapted from a previous systematic review of influenza outbreaks. Vote counting of outbreak causes was performed by type of sports (team or individual). Twenty-one articles reporting 22 outbreaks were identified (quality: high, 9; medium, 9; and low, 3). The outbreaks were most frequently reported in fitness classes, followed by soccer. Most studies listed multiple causes of the outbreaks. The most common suspected cause of outbreaks in individual exercise, mostly from fitness classes, was poor ventilation and not wearing masks, followed by not maintaining physical distance and participation of individuals with some symptoms. In team sports, the most common cause was interaction outside the game, such as social events. This systematic review found a limited number of case investigations suggesting that COVID-19 outbreaks during sports and exercise may be associated with the inhalation of aerosols in indoor settings, interactions outside of team sports games and participation of individuals with some symptoms. Prevention strategies that focus on mitigating these issues may be effective at preventing sports and exercise-associated respiratory infectious diseases outbreaks. CRD42023443158.

Analysing Exit Poll Outcomes and Their Accuracy Across Indian State Assembly Elections Through Descriptive Statistics

The period between polling and the final count of votes is one of the most suspenseful phenomena. Parties eagerly await results after months of campaigning and canvassing for votes. During this period, one often comes across news publications predicting the final results and seat tallies of the election through various surveys conducted by their survey teams on a sample of the electoral population. These surveys are published as exit polls, aiming to give the public and parties an idea of what the end outcomes of elections would look like. Historically, there are multiple examples of the exit polls getting it wrong. Who could forget the great headline of ‘Dewey defeats Truman’ published in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1948? Even in the Indian general elections of 2004 and 2014, exit poll predictions failed to gauge the direction of public support. This research study investigates a specific period of exit polls and uses descriptive statistics to decode the accuracy of these polls in predicting the final outcomes of elections and the seat projections. Using the elections from the beginning of 2020 till the end of 2022, this study analyses all the State Assembly elections held in this time frame, by comparing the exit polls forecast by four different agencies (Poll of Polls, C-Voter, AXIS and Politique Marquer) in each of those elections and analysing them with the final results of the election by testing the accuracy of these polls through the means of descriptive statistics.

Religion in political power: a philosophical study on the role of religion in the 2019 elections

In the sixteenth century, European countries were divided due to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants regarding which religion should govern. The conflict between them ultimately concluded not by granting special rights to a particular religion, but rather by separating the church from the state and strengthening the freedom of religion for everyone. This decision had the consequence of enhancing cross-border human solidarity beyond the barriers of religion, culture, economy, race, gender, and various other divides. The history of Indonesia is marked by dynamics somewhat similar, especially when examining efforts to find the philosophical foundation of the Indonesian nation. The inner atmosphere during the session of the Investigating Body for Preparatory Work for Independence/Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (BPUPK/PPKI) reflects well how the strong and argumentative discourse of the founding fathers led to the agreement to choose Pancasila as the shared philosophy. The founding fathers chose an ideal path for Indonesia by making Pancasila the philosophy, ideology, and foundation of the Indonesian state. Pancasila became the noble covenant of this nation, where within it, all diversity (pluralism) and heterogeneity of this nation are united but not standardized. Religion is one of the diversities and diversities of the Indonesian nation. There are six religions and various belief systems that coexist in Indonesia. In the 2019 general elections, the colors of support left certain traces that are worth reflecting on. From the vote counts of the General Election Commission, this support factor is visibly apparent. Provinces like Aceh and Bali, for example, can serve as references to observe these patterns of support. This is certainly something legitimate in the realm of democracy. However, when we look at various news and sentiments that emerged during the campaign, it is clear that religion was dragged into this practical political arena. This undoubtedly becomes an important reflection for the Indonesian nation in facing the dynamics of religious intertwining with politics.

Predictors of maternal HIV acquisition during pregnancy and lactation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

To eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, global institutions recommend using a risk-guided approach for HIV prevention services in antenatal and postnatal settings. Identifying predictors of maternal HIV acquisition can inform the development of risk-guided approaches, but individual studies of predictors can have limited power and generalizability. We conducted a systematic review and narrative synthesis to identify common predictors of maternal HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We searched four databases for full-text articles that estimated associations between at least one predictor and risk of HIV acquisition among pregnant and/or lactating women (PLW) in SSA. We restricted our synthesis to predictors assessed in at least four study populations. For these predictors, we summarized how each predictor was defined and used vote counting and descriptive statistics to characterize overall trends. We identified 26 eligible publications that summarized results from 24 unique studies. Studies were implemented in 12 countries between 1988 and 2021 and enrolled a total of 164,480 PLW at risk of acquiring HIV. Of the 66 predictors evaluated, 16 met our inclusion criteria. Estimated associations tended to be imprecise and variability in how predictors were measured precluded meta-analyses. We observed trends towards a higher risk of maternal HIV acquisition among young women and women who reported early coital debut, multiple partnerships, sexually transmitted infections, being unaware of partner HIV status, or having a partner living with HIV. In most studies, PLW in stable, monogamous relationships experienced a lower risk of acquiring HIV than those who were single, separated, or in a polygynous marriage. HIV risk perception, condom use, and vaginal drying were also commonly associated with HIV acquisition risk. In our systematic review and narrative synthesis, we identified several easily measured characteristics that were associated with HIV acquisition among PLW in multiple study populations across SSA. Such findings can support the development and refinement of risk-guided approaches for HIV prevention in the region.

A Secure and Transparent Voting System using Blockchain Technology

Blockchain-based voting systems present a transformative approach to resolving the limitations found in conventional voting methods. Traditional electoral processes frequently suffer from issues like vote manipulation, fraud, uncertainty, and inefficiencies in vote counting. By leveraging the decentralized nature of blockchain technology, these challenges can be mitigated, creating a secure, unchangeable, and transparent platform for vote recording and tallying. Once a vote is registered on the blockchain, it becomes unalterable, safeguarding election results against any form of tampering or external manipulation. Each vote is stored as a cryptographic entry, chained to the preceding data, which fortifies the overall security of the voting record against unauthorized modifications. This structure upholds the integrity of the election data, ensuring robust control over the electoral process. With the blockchain ledger publicly accessible, all participants—including voters and candidates—can verify results in real time, promoting confidence in the accuracy of the voting process. The technology's decentralized framework eliminates the need for centralized oversight, reducing the risks of manipulation or corruption by third parties. Additionally, this approach maintains voter privacy, allowing individuals to cast their votes confidentially without fear of personal information exposure or reprisal. Smart contracts within the system automate essential functions such as voter registration, identity validation, and vote casting, minimizing human errors and enabling seamless election processes. In conclusion, adopting blockchain technology in voting systems has the potential to greatly enhance security, transparency, and trust, thereby supporting and strengthening democratic practices on a global scale.

Assessing the impact of workload and clinician experience on patient throughput: A multicenter study.

Various strategies have attempted to address increased patient lengths of stay (LOS), but effectiveness varies. Factors related to work design and workforce experience may also play significant roles. Utilizing data from the Discharge in the A.M. trial, we aimed to validate an electronic measure of workload (i.e., note count) and assess the relationship of workload, patient complexity, and physician years of experience to LOS. Retrospective observational study at three large academic hospitals with hospital medicine physicians and patients they care for during the study. Workload as measured by electronic note count and physician years of experience; patient LOS. From February 9, 2021 to July 31, 2021, 59 physicians completed daily surveys for 93% of 2318 scheduled shifts. We observed a moderate correlation (r: .56) between starting morning census and note counts but no association with LOS. We observed an effect modification between note count and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), with LOS increasing by 2.3% (95% CI: 0.3%, 4.3%; p = .02) and 3.9% (95% CI: 2.0%, 5.9%; p < .0001) per patient for every 1 unit increase in note count for patients with a moderate CCI or severe CCI, respectively. Years since training was associated with a 0.7% decrease in LOS (95% CI: -1.3%, -0.1%, p = .03). Physician workload, as measured by note count, was associated with longer LOS with higher CCI, while more years of experience was associated with shorter LOS. Original Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05370638.

Federal State Relation and Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria.

The conduct of free and fair elections was a cornerstone of democratic governance, and in Nigeria, this required a concerted effort between federal and state governments. This paper adopted a descriptive contextual analysis to explore the necessary level of interaction between these governmental layers to ensure electoral integrity, with a focus on the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. The contextual analysis method involves examining the electoral framework, historical election data, government policies, and stakeholder interactions. This method allows for a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics that influence electoral integrity in Nigeria. Key sources included publications from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports from international election observers, and scholarly articles on electoral processes in Nigeria. This research identified critical areas where enhanced collaboration between federal and state authorities could mitigate electoral malpractices and improve election outcomes. At the federal level, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was responsible for overseeing national elections, while state electoral commissions managed local elections. The interaction between these entities was crucial for harmonizing electoral processes, ensuring uniformity in the application of laws, and maintaining a consistent standard of electoral conduct across the nation. Effective coordination facilitated better resource allocation, improved security measures, and enhanced voter education initiatives. Despite the established electoral system, Nigeria faced several challenges, including electoral violence, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, and vote buying. These issues eroded public confidence in the electoral process and hindered the realization of genuinely democratic outcomes. This study proposed several solutions to address these problems, emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach. Key solutions included strengthening the legal framework to deter electoral offenses, enhancing the capacity and independence of electoral bodies, deploying technology for transparent and efficient vote counting, and fostering a culture of political accountability. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and civic education programs were essential to empower citizens to demand electoral integrity and resist corrupt practices. The level of interaction needed by the federal and state governments in Nigeria to ensure free and fair elections was substantial and multifaceted. By fostering robust collaboration, enhancing the electoral system, and addressing systemic issues through comprehensive reforms, Nigeria could achieve more credible and transparent elections. This study provided a roadmap for policymakers, electoral bodies, and civil society organizations to work together towards this goal, ultimately strengthening Nigeria's democratic foundations.

A Study on Movie Genre Analysis Using IMDb Data

This study examines the global film industry's trends, challenges, and revenue dynamics from the 1960s to the 2010s. Utilizing IMDb data, the research analyses various factors that influence film revenue, such as budget, genre, vote count, and popularity. The analysis employs statistical methods, including multiple regression, to uncover significant correlations between these variables. The findings highlight how higher budgets are often associated with higher revenues, particularly in action and animation genres. However, the success of a film also heavily depends on elements like storytelling quality, effective marketing, and audience engagement. Additionally, the rise of digital streaming platforms has significantly altered the landscape of film distribution and consumption. This study provides valuable insights for filmmakers and marketers, suggesting strategies to optimize their production and promotional efforts in line with evolving industry trends and audience preferences. Future research directions include exploring the impact of emerging technologies on the film industry

Dispute Over Vote Count in the Election of The Head of Huta Julu Village, Mandailing Natal Regency From the Perspective of Fiqh Siyasah (Analysis Study of Decision Number: 73/G/2023/PTUN.MDN)

Law Number 6 of 2014 outlines the authority, responsibilities, and processes related to the election and dismissal of village heads. This study examines the mechanisms applied by Indonesian law to resolve disputes related to village head elections. The relevant decision is 73/G/2023/PTUN.MDN. This study uses normative legal research, which involves the analysis of laws and regulations as legal documents. Research findings indicate a discussion regarding the selection of village heads in Huta Julu, a community in Mandailing Natal Regency. Village leaders are appointed directly, bypassing the resolution of existing issues, while disputes regarding fair vote distribution by the election committee are handled unfairly. This study explains the strategies used by judges in resolving disputes that occurred during the village head election in Huta Julu.

Trust in electronic voting: the Estonian case

The article is devoted to researching the problem of creating and using such a transparent and secure voting technology, which would not only have a high level of trust, but also the potential to strengthen the legitimacy of constitutional orders, using the example of the 2023 Estonian parliamentary elections. The relevance of the topic is due to the fact that for Ukraine the use of electronic election technologies, in particular electronic voting itself, especially now, is the most discussed near future. It is organically connected with amendments to the election and referendum legislation of Ukraine. The subject of the study is electronic voting, establishing its results and the procedure for contesting them in Estonian electoral practice. The purpose of the article is to refute or confirm the thesis about the ability of electronic voting to have such a support and level of trust that it can completely replace the traditional way of voting, using the example of the Estonian experience. The research uses the method of analysis and synthesis of scientific information, empirical and dialectical methods of scientific knowledge. The model of electronic voting, counting of votes and their appeal was studied. It has been established that the legislation lays the foundation for falsifications with the use of broad discretionary powers of the electoral process administration bodies. The main factors that can undermine confidence in the institution are analyzed. Among them are the questionable constitutionality of the powers of the central administrative bodies, the lack of independent observers of the internal work of the electronic voting system, and significant shortcomings in the procedure for contesting the results. Special attention is paid to analytical studies, judicial practice is analyzed. It was found that in order to increase the transparency of the elections, it is necessary to use end-to-end verification methods and ensure quality audit at all critical stages of determining the results of online voting. An interim conclusion was made about the impracticality of completely replacing the traditional paper method of voting with a remote one, at least in the near term, due to insufficient security guarantees.

Improving the Security of United States Elections with Robust Optimization

The preservation of democracy hinges on the reality and perception that votes in elections are counted properly. In the paper “Improving the Security of United States Elections with Robust Optimization,” Crimmins, Halderman, and Sturt provide a low-cost approach to reducing the security risks of voting machines that are used to scan ballots and count votes. Their approach consists of applying robust optimization to a century-old testing procedure called logic and accuracy testing (LAT), which is performed by election officials on each voting machine before each election. The authors show that their robust optimization approach is guaranteed to detect any misconfiguration of voting machines that would cause votes to be swapped across candidates. Applying their approach to Michigan’s November 2022 election, the authors show that their approach to LAT would have only required a 1.2% increase in cost to election officials compared with current practice. Their approach, which is forthcoming in the Societal Impact section, has been successfully piloted in real-world elections by the Michigan Bureau of Elections since Summer 2023 as a cost-efficient way to enhance election security and public trust in election outcomes.