1 Million People in Seattle Area Will be First to Vote With Their Smartphones

Voting from smartphones has finally been made possible for roughly 1.2 million Seattle-area voters. They can now vote from their smartphones for a district election that opened Wednesday as part of a pilot mobile voting option aimed at increasing voter turnout.

According to The Verge, the program is a collaboration between King County Elections; the county’s conservation district; mobile-voting nonprofit Tusk Philanthropies; the National Cybersecurity Center; and Democracy Live, a technology firm that develops electronic balloting.

“The more people vote, the more government reflects the will of the people. That's why today's announcement is so historic,” explained Bradley Tusk, founder and CEO of Tusk Philosophies in an interview with Fox News. “1.2 million people can now vote securely on their phones. It's the biggest innovation in democracy in years and we are extremely grateful to King Conservation District for making it happen.”

Covering Seattle and 30 other suburbs, King Conservation District initially made mobile voting an option during the district's Board of Supervisors election, which ends on February 11, 2020. Of course, voters can still cast a ballot traditionally if they choose.

And although this is the first time in history that eligible votes can be cast via smartphone in Washington state, there are five other states that have already allowed certain voters like veterans to vote from their smartphones.

“We are proud to partner with King Conservation District as they pilot this mobile voting technology,” King County Director of Elections Julie Wise said in a statement. “It will be easier than ever for voters to access their Conservation District ballot and cast their vote.”

But, what do you think? Should we allow people to case via smartphone? Sound off in the comment section below or on Facebook.