Trust Analysis of the U.K. e-Voting Pilots

<jats:p> This article explores the issue of trust in the context of the e-electoral process based on the experience gained through the 2002 and 2003 U.K. e-voting pilots. In our analysis, we adopt a process-stage approach to e-elections. We identify the different agents involved in the e-electoral process so as to indicate who generates trust and to whom they convey their trust during the evolution of the process. We then describe agent responsibilities for each of the process stages to identify the issues that require trust between agents. Thus we indicate why trust was needed to support the deployment of the pilots. Based on our analysis we describe cases where “inherited trust” was indirectly conveyed between agents. Finally, because trust in e-voting is primarily needed from the electorate, we propose four levels of social acceptance for the e-voting process and discuss some trust-building arguments for prospective public administration e-transaction environments. </jats:p>