Research on online voting (also known as e-voting or internet voting) shows mixed results regarding its impact on voter participation.

• One study in the U.S. found that online election news and internet access were significant factors in increasing voter turnout in presidential elections, with a rise in voting probability by 7.5% to 12% in certain elections (Tolbert & McNeal, 2003).
• Research conducted in Brazil's participatory budgeting showed an 8.2% increase in total turnout due to the availability of online voting. The data suggest that online voting engaged new voters rather than just providing convenience for existing voters (Spada et al., 2015).
• In Estonia, although online voting initially replaced existing votes, over time, it showed potential to reach a broader demographic and increase inclusivity among voters (Vassil et al., 2016).
• However, other research in Estonia showed that internet voting primarily attracted established voters rather than bringing new ones to the polls, potentially reinforcing existing inequalities in participation (Bochsler, 2009).

Increased access to information

Lowering barriers to participation