Nevada’s online voting system, EASE, has expanded beyond military and overseas voters to include disabled individuals and those living on reservations. However, the state has no system in place to verify whether voters actually qualify for these programs, relying instead on voters’ own claims.
Voters using EASE are asked to affirm their eligibility before casting their ballots online, but there are no safeguards to ensure the information is accurate. When asked how Nevada verifies voter eligibility, Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar’s office could only reference penalties for providing false information, offering no specific details about eligibility checks.
Security experts have expressed concerns about the system. A UC Berkeley working group found that preventing fraud in internet voting systems is nearly impossible without stronger digital credentials. Their report warned that without better safeguards, online voting systems like EASE are vulnerable to manipulation.
While the system verifies voter identity using information such as Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses, this doesn’t address whether a voter qualifies for the program. In cases where a voter falsely claims to live on a reservation, for example, the system may not flag the issue.
As online voting becomes more common, the debate over how to secure these systems is intensifying. Nevada’s experience with EASE may serve as a warning for other states considering similar programs.
