Postal or electronic voting? The analysis of the preferred voting methods in the context of failed electoral reform in Poland

Abstract

The article discusses reasons for the failure of the 2020 postal-vote election reform in Poland and examines opinions of Poles on voting methods. The main goal is to answer the following research question: which of the alternative voting methods – postal or electronic – would Poles prefer? The approach is quantitative and based on the statistical analysis of voters’ attitudes towards alternative voting methods, in particular postal voting. The main finding is that out of all voting methods available, most Poles favor electronic voting as a potential alternative to voting in person. On a general level, the conclusions from the Polish case highlight the need to establish special requirements and standards for democratic elections during emergency situations. The unsuccessful implementation of all-postal voting in Poland is an example of how changes to the law should not be made, especially when public health and democratic standards are at stake. The paper presents practical implications and recommendations for state authorities and electoral administration while implementing electoral reforms, extending the list of available voting channels, and running elections – especially in extraordinary situations. This paper adds to the knowledge on alternative voting channels, including their implementation during a pandemic. The Polish case is also relevant for other countries as regards safe and democratic elections during emergency situations. Policymakers are expected to benefit from the insight, since the results originate in the opinion poll and identify voting channels favored by citizens.