Electoral Court says it is firmly opposed to electronic voting

Uruguay’s Electoral Court has made its position clear: it does not want to move toward electronic voting for now. “What works well, do not change. What works, do not fix,” said Juan Máspoli, a Colorado Party member of the court, during a Senate budget commission hearing.

“

What works well, do not change. What works, do not fix. That is the fundamental principle.

Máspoli described Uruguay’s voting system as “a benchmark and an example of excellence throughout Latin America.” For that reason, he said, the country should show “the utmost care if one day” it considers electronic voting. He ended with a direct statement: “This Court, for now, has no plans for it.”

His comments came as lawmakers examined the Electoral Court’s funding needs. Earlier, National Party senator Sergio Botana said he did not want Uruguay to adopt electronic voting systems or lose party delegates at polling stations.

“

A benchmark and an example of excellence throughout Latin America.

Court President Wilfredo Penco stressed that austerity has guided the institution throughout its history and remains the policy governing its current resources. One of the court’s requests in the budget review is funding to update Proteo, the computer system used for civic registration, renewals and, particularly, address transfers. Penco said the system is now 20 years old and needs changes, especially as the state faces various hacking and cyberattack threats.

“

This Court, for now, has no plans for it.