Electronic voting in the Åland Islands –empty promise or real scenario?

New technologies are becoming more and more frequently used in public administration and in the electoral law. Further states consider introducing an electronic voting as an alternative method of casting votes. It seems to be an attractive solution as it is expected to increase the electorate mobilisation. The Åland Islands, which are autonomous territory of Finland, are planning to ensure the Internet voting starting from 2019. It is the first stage of introducing i-voting in the Åland Islands and at this point only expats are enable to exercise the right to use it. The method is accessory to the traditional way of voting in a polling station and it applies merely to the elections to the authorities of the autonomy.

This article aims to analyze the use of new technologies (ICT) in the election process in Lithuania, understood as election procedures and electronic voting. While ICT is widely used in the registration of voters, calculating voting results, or announcing election results, so far, the concept of electronic voting in Lithuania raises many concerns. However, it is anticipated that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new regulations may be adopted, and electronic voting will contribute to the modernization of election procedures and help maintain sanitary requirements in the current crisis. Based on the analysis of legal acts, reports of international organizations, and the results of academic research, the author proves that new technologies significantly affect the operation of the broadly understood electoral apparatus. They can also increase electoral accessibility and participation, improve electoral processes in the context of new challenges, and stimulate the international visibility of the state.