The Iowa Caucus has taken place every year since its birth in 1972–making it the first Caucus in the nation. This year, an error immerged as a result of an app involved in the vote tallying process. While they have stated that there were no hackers involved, who truly knows?
This situation follows a topic that I've covered in previous articles involving the idea that modern society continuously invents new forms of technology, as a means of making lives more convenient, without always gaging potential issues. When it comes to such an important process like voting, why not stick to the old school way? Must we always advance technologically in every aspect of our lives?
Technology is something to be feared– or at least something to not take lightly. In my opinion, I don't see a need for an app to tally votes when we've had an effective, discrepancy free system in place for years. Arguments in favor of the app state that it makes it easier for people to vote if they cannot be physically present where and when the Iowa Caucus takes place. But, as the system has gone for years, if you can't be present to vote, then you don't vote. If you care enough to make your voice heard, you'll take the time to show up for part of your day and cast your vote. This idea is an example of technology continuously making us a lazier species- but that's a topic for another article.
What scares me about this app voting development is the fact that modern hackers have a history of trespassing into government software. If these tech-wizards can infiltrate government software, what can't they hack into?
The haphazard path we are taking toward a fully technological future puts too much power in the wrong hands and opens our society up to potentially detrimental consequences. Self-driving cars, mechanical locking mechanisms on our houses, and in this instance, voting apps, are all examples that show how modern society continues to open itself up to dangers that may have not even been considered. The technological way isn't always the best way.
