Nine drivers influencing the Future of Elections

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With the help of our explorers on this cycle, we identified nine key drivers influencing the Future of Elections. These range from the technical (ie. advances in technologies) to the human (ie. apathy), but all have potential to impact our future. We’ve included thoughts and questions on each driver, to prompt you to think and discuss them with colleagues.

1. Mis/disinformation

   💡Algorithms promote divisive content and empower populists.

   💡There is and will be a pushback to this.

   ❓But can we trust tech companies to crack down on this kind of content?

2. Regulation

   💡There's more awareness about the need to regulate big tech companies.

   💡The lack of regulation leads to more polarised results in elections.

   ❓How can we regulate these spaces to drive better debate?

3. Generational differences

   💡Younger people tend to have vastly different information sources compared to older people.

   💡They are also more tech savvy and will be able to engage with 'digital democracy' more easily.

4. Apathy

   💡Generally there is increased apathy in elections across the world, which can lead to distorting minority votes.

   ❓How can digital encourage people to care more about elections?

5. Mistrust

   💡It will be hard to win the public's trust for more 'digital' elections.

   💡Especially as 'digital' elections may be open to manipulation by foreign actors.

   ❓How can we accredit or certify digital elections to build trust and ensure that no manipulation took place?

6. Future Technologies

   💡Advances in tech will have varied impacts on process of elections, from voter identification to how you cast your vote.

   💡There will be new ways to engage with news and online debate.

   ❓What impact will the growing power of big tech have?

7. Direct Democracy

   💡Tech can enable a more direct democracy that lives beyond election day.

   💡The hope is for more meaningful engagement with the democratic process.

   💡Taiwan is a good example of where this is already happening successfully.

8. Digital Inclusion

   💡Access to the internet and tech varies massively across different countries.

   💡Closing this 'digital divide' might have a positive impact on election participation.

   💡Though for some countries, social media is their gateway to online, which poses challenges.

9. Manipulation

   💡People can use tech to bypass state manipulation, to spread information and organise.

   💡The more digital elections get, the more likely they are to face interference from companies and other countries.

   💡Big tech and social media are inherently biased, driven by profit instead of existing for public good.

   💡Governments control the digital space and can use that to manipulate elections.

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