美國奧勒岡州全通訊投票實施經驗之研究

Abstract

我國至今尚未通過不在籍投票法案，其反對因素可歸納為：破壞秘密投票原則、可能造成對特定政黨有利的狀況、造成選舉舞弊的可能性…等，但依照現今世界各國在投票制度上的發展，不在籍投票已然成為一種主流趨勢，而在不在籍投票的制度中，通訊投票則是最廣泛被運用的方式。

本文選擇奧勒岡州的全通訊投票經驗最為研究標的，最主要原因是奧勒岡經驗的獨特性與啟發性。奧勒岡州是目前全美唯一，以「全通訊投票」形式進行所有選舉之州，同時在推動全通訊投票的過程中，也經歷了雙軌制度與公民投票的過程；在實施全通訊投票的十七年中，奧勒岡州有效的提升了投票率，同時省下大筆選務經費，獨特又成功的經驗，可提供給固守傳統投票方式的國家另一種思維！

The main reasons behind the fact that Taiwanese parliament does not have a consensus on absentee voting lawmaking are because (1) it may violet the basic principle of secret ballot; (2) it may create an unfair advantage to a particular candidate or party; (3) it may raise the concern of the voting fraud during the election. However, the absentee voting has gradually received widespread recognition and credibility from many countries worldwide. Among several methods of absentee voting, the postal voting is considered the most prevalent one of all. This article explores the Oregon’s All Vote-by-Mail Experience because its uniqueness is an inspiration to absentee voting overall. Oregon is currently the only American state that conducts all governmental officials elections and referendums though postal voting. During the past 17 years, the Oregon’s Vote-by-Mail experience has effectively boosted the voter turnout and largely reduced the cost of voting during the elections. Oregon’s Vote-by-Mail success may be inspirational for those countries that are still requiring the voters to cast votes on booth.