Smartmatic was engaged by the National Electoral Institute (INE) of Mexico to provide the essential technology and services required for an internet voting system during the local elections in the states of Mexico and Coahuila on June 4, 2023. Using this advanced internet voting system, Mexicans residing abroad who are originally from Coahuila, or the State of Mexico had the opportunity to cast their votes in person using laptop computers at consulates and embassies, or remotely via the internet from any location at any time during the voting window.

Out of the total number of registered voters who were eligible to vote remotely without visiting a consulate, 40% used TIVI, Smartmatic’s cutting-edge internet voting solution. The platform was available from May 20 to June 4 for voters using their own devices, providing a convenient and secure window for participation.

Technology

Smartmatic’s solution – TIVI (Trust, Innovation, Verifiability, Integrity) – was implemented in Mexico through a secure web portal that provided security and secrecy of the vote. Using TIVI from any electronic device (tablet, mobile phone, or computer), Mexican voters abroad could access an electronic ballot, explore/navigate through different contests, and cast their votes securely and verifiably, in compliance with the requirements of the National Electoral Institute of Mexico.

For the first time in Mexican elections, citizens abroad had the option to vote in person at embassies and consulates. This convenience was available in Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles, and in Montreal, Canada.

Services

Smartmatic provided the following services to the INE:

• Licensing during the voting period, covering both remote internet voting and in-person voting at embassies and consulates.
• Implementation of an authentication system for voters and administrators, comprising members of the INE responsible for managing and configuring the platform.
• Provision of comprehensive support materials for voters and electoral worker training.
• Customization and fine-tuning of the internet electronic voting platform to ensure seamless integration with the electoral process.
• Rigorous testing, audits, and orchestration of two voting simulation exercises, reinforcing the reliability and effectiveness of the system.

Benefits

Secure

TIVI uses end-to-end encryption and employs digital signatures to protect the privacy of the vote and the integrity of the processes.

Accessible

TIVI offers voters the convenience and flexibility to cast a verifiable vote at any time and from anywhere. Mexican citizens abroad could use their own digital device, smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Verifiable

TIVI provides a universal digital verification method that allows the voter to confirm the integrity of their cast vote. In Mexico, once the vote was cast via the Internet, the system sent voters a receipt (QR code) via SMS or email. This code allowed voters to verify that their vote had been securely deposited in the electronic ballot box through a verification portal.