The canton of St. Gallen is one of four cantons that offer voters the electronic channel as an additional option to voting by post and in person at the ballot box. Previously, depending on cantonal requirements, Swiss citizens living abroad or people with disabilities were able to vote electronically.

Municipality of Vilters-Wangs among the pioneers

Since the vote in June 2023, voters in some cantons have been able to cast their votes electronically. The new Swiss Post system is being used, which enables electronic voting and elections to be fully verifiable. The municipality of Vilters-Wangs in the canton of Sargans was one of the first municipalities to enable electronic voting. Today, 13 out of 14 municipalities in the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region already offer e-voting. The town of Buchs is awaiting the current pilot phase.

The canton and the participating municipalities in the region recommend that all voters use e-voting. There are fewer invalid votes and the workload for the polling stations is significantly reduced. E-voting also has numerous advantages for voters. They can vote easily and conveniently online - when and where they want, without having to go to the post box or ballot box. Their votes are recorded securely, anonymously and legally. Every person entitled to vote can actively contribute to the security of e-voting by using the official recommendations and tipsand tips.

Why should I use e-voting?

• Simple and convenient: you vote online - when and where you want. There's no need to go to the postbox or polling station.
• Secure and legally valid: your vote is recorded anonymously and correctly. The system meets the highest security standards.
• Municipalities are relieved: every digital vote reduces the workload in the polling stations, e.g. when counting or registering.
  

E-voting is a complementary service to the existing postal voting and ballot channels. A one-off registration is required to use the electronic voting channel, which only takes a few clicks. Registrations and deregistrations are possible at any time and will be taken into account if they are made at least 8 weeks before the election or voting Sunday.

How to register:

1. Scan the QR code in the attached flyer or this linkand start the registration process.
2. Enter your personal data and confirm your registration.
3. Written confirmation of registration will follow by post.
   

In future, voters who have registered for e-voting will be sent the voting material for electronic voting as well as for the previous channels (postal vote and ballot box) for each ballot. The voting card contains the personal access data and codes required for electronic voting on the e-voting portal of the Canton of St. Gallen.The electronic ballot box opens four weeks before the ballot at 12 noon and closes for federal and cantonal ballots on the Saturday before the ballot at 12 noon. Even after registration, the use of e-voting remains voluntary. Voters are free to choose between e-voting, postal voting or the ballot box for each election or vote. A control system and close communication between the municipalities and the canton prevent multiple voting.

Further links:

Detailed information about the e-voting options in the canton of St.Gallen: e-voting.sg.ch

Explanatory video and answers to frequently asked questions: evoting-info.ch