Will Older Voters Embrace Online Voting? Studies Say Yes
8:13 pm in Online Voting, Voting Trends by Votenet Updates
Organizations with older voters sometimes express concern about taking voting events online. Will their senior voters embrace the new technology and cast their votes online?
The AARP thinks so. In a recent studies by the AARP and the Pew Internet and American Life survey, researchers reported that more than 60% of respondents age 50 and older are comfortable online. In fact, Americans born before 1955 make up 51% of the US population and more than 46% of Internet users. Another finding was that the vast majority of adults from all generations regularly use email for communication. (Read more points from the studies here.)
So why do we still have the perception that seniors will reject an online vote? Perhaps voting administrators have experience with a vocal minority — the handful of voters who voice their complaints about a transition to online voting. The same handful of people are the ones that may express discontent about any sort of change. At Votenet, we’ve found that the transition is generally smooth, and a quality online voting vendor should be able to integrate paper balloting options into a voting event to make sure all the voters can feel comfortable participating.
What has been your experience with older voters?
I am happy that this study is finally out there! I cannot even count how many new clients are very pleasantly surprised by the turnout of their older population. Older members are usually the bread-and-butter of an association; they have been dedicated members for years; and now in their seniority are experts with valuable advice and experiences to pass along to younger members. No wonder association staff wants to make sure that these members do not feel left out or alienated, they just have too much to offer the association and its other members. With this type of study I can finally back up my anecdotes and success stories.
Seniors being intimidated by online voting is a myth!
I am a baby-boomer, and I can count the number of my friends (of which I have many) who ARE NOT computer savvy on one hand. They use the internet for emailing, travel arrangements, research, many have started their own business’ and have developed their own webpages. And they are already voting online in surveys promoted by brands, tv shows, social media, etc.
I believe that the angst about older voters not wanting to use evoting is a myth created by those who do not want to let go of old ideas themselves. And also elitist who really believe that people of my generation are like the elders that came before us. We are the generation that vowed we would never grow old (meaning surrender to outdated ideas) and we have not. We do not sit in rocking chairs with shawls dreading change.
Libraries, churches, schools are filled with seniors who are taking the classes that these organizations offer to teach seniors about new tech practices. We use blackberrys, ipods, iphones, ebooks and are embracing new technology at the same rate as our children and grandchildren. Most publications which cater to seniors have tech columns. They have done this because their readership has required them to step up their tech game, so to speak.
When I am speaking with prospects that use this as an excuse not to talk, I tell them all of the above and I usually get through to those who are not afraid to embrace change. Conversation usually ends with “You’ve got a point. Send me some info”.
Well said Anne! I will be quoting some of your arguments in the near future because, just like Megan, this is an objection I often hear and am delighted to now have hard facts with which to overcome them.
One more thing; I just read an article that totally supports this argument:
Rob Romasco, the national president-elect of AARP, was in Oregon recently. He told business leaders that older workers are busting the myths that they’re not flexible or tech-savvy enough for today’s jobs. In fact, he says, they have more than just financial reasons to stay in the workforce. In AARP member surveys, he says their message has been clear – they’re “not done yet.”
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/16485-1
“The transition is generally smooth,” is the key point for luring older people to online use. Many older people find tremendous benefit in specific online services but often avoid learning applications they don’t think they’ll need.
So, it’s important to sell the benefits, give specific instruction, and don’t lecture them about the alleged superiority of online services. Like anything else, if they see a benefit, they’ll use it.