International Research Reveals: Election Card Serial Numbers Deemed Unsafe, Many Countries Discontinue Use

International research points out that serial numbers on election ballots are not secure, with many countries eliminating cards attached to control sheets and containing serial numbers. From the ongoing debate about barcodes on election ballots in Thailand, researchers Vasil Vashchanka from the Center for State and Legal Research at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and Kate Sullivan, a US election expert, have written a report on the 'Evolution of Election Cards'. The research comprehensively examines critical design considerations for voting ballots, focusing on accessibility, safety, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and legal compliance. The report emphasizes that ballot cards are crucial to elections, serving as physical evidence of voter choices and a powerful symbol of democracy. The research specifically discusses serial numbers and barcodes in the 'safety' section, noting that election ballots often include security features, especially when election stakeholders are concerned about potential fraud. Possible security measures include background pattern design, microprinting, watermarked paper, UV-sensitive ink, heat-sensitive ink, holograms, and anti-copying markers. However, these security measures come with costs, and benefits should be carefully weighed against expenses. The ultimate goal of implementing such features is to prevent election fraud and build public confidence in the electoral process's integrity.