What is remote electronic voting? An overview of online voting mechanics and protections

What is remote electronic voting Advantages of remote electronic voting Who can participate in online voting When can you vote online How to participate in EEG: step-by-step instructions Data protection during early electronic voting Is it possible to vote at the voting station Q&A

What is remote electronic voting?

Remote electronic voting (REV) enables participation in elections without visiting a polling place. Everything happens online. Any internet connected device can be used to cast a vote, including a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. Voters can submit ballots from anywhere, as long as they have a stable connection and a valid account on the voting portal. The Moscow public portal mos.ru is the gateway for online voting in this system.

Is DEG a new system?

Remote electronic voting was launched in the country in 2019. Voters quickly appreciated the convenience, and the format has continued to gain traction. Online voting was used during the presidential elections in the spring of 2024.

Advantages of remote electronic voting

• The voter can participate from anywhere on voting days, whether at work, at home, while traveling, or during a stroll. The REV system accepts votes from across the country and beyond borders.
• Voting is available 24 hours a day, accommodating any schedule or time zone.
• REV is designed to be straightforward and secure. There is no need for pre-registration to cast a vote; simply review the mos.ru account and follow a few simple steps during the voting period. Modern security technologies protect all voting data.

Who can participate in online voting?

Electronic voting is open to eligible adult citizens who are 18 years or older by September 8, 2024, permanently registered in the capital, and who have a full account on mos.ru. This applies to the Moscow City Duma elections as well as municipal races in TiNAO and the Kurkino district.

How does one obtain a full mos.ru account?

Identity verification is required to obtain a full mos.ru account. This can be completed online or in person at any My Documents public service center. Online verification can be done in three ways: a) enter the SNILS number in the Personal Documents section, b) log in with a recognized ESIA based account (gosuslugi.ru), Sber ID, T-ID, VTB ID, or Alfa ID, or c) link a confirmed SBER ID, T-ID, VTB ID, or Alfa ID in the Security area of the account. Identity verification at the My Documents center requires a passport and SNILS data.

When can you vote online?

Online voting begins at 08:00 on September 6 and ends at 20:00 on September 8. During this period, voters log into their personal accounts to request an electronic vote. Unlike polling stations, which close late at night, online voting is accessible any time of day. If a ballot is opened at 19:59 on September 8, the voter has until 20:15 to complete the process.

How to join REV: step-by-step instructions

Step 1. Log in to mos.ru. The portal offers an account verification tool for online voting. On a desktop, open the Access to electronic voting section and click Get information to see if the account qualifies for online voting.

If an account is missing or not fully registered, set up the account in advance and add any required information. Afterward, the profile must be verified, which may take several days. Verification is comparable to checking a passport at the polls.

Step 2. Subscribe to the electronic newsletter. Request an electronic vote via the personal account. An SMS with a digital code will be sent to the registered phone number. Enter the code in the designated field to enable the newsletter access.

In some cases, a phone call may replace the SMS. There is no need to respond to the call; simply enter the last four digits of the incoming number when prompted.

Step 3. Vote. In the newsletter, choose the candidate and mark the selected name. Click Vote. Only one candidate can be elected in the Moscow City Duma elections. Residents of TiNAO and Kurkino will receive two ballots and must vote accordingly.

Important! If the ballot is opened but cannot be completed, don’t close the page or reload. The ballot is anonymous and cannot be retrieved. Simply refresh to reload the ballot and continue voting.

Data protection during early electronic voting

Many voters want assurance that online voting is secure and private and that the system resists external interference. Security is achieved through robust technology designed to protect data from tampering and unauthorized access.

Confidentiality is supported by privacy safeguards. Actions are anonymized from the moment the electronic ballot is issued. The system records data with deliberate delay to prevent matching votes to specific voters.

Data about where and from which device votes originate is protected by encryption keys. The electronic voter list contains voter information and their voting options, with real-time updates about ballot issuance. All data is encrypted before any summarization. A shared encryption key is not exposed, ensuring intermediate results cannot reveal individual votes.

Counting uses a decryption key prepared in advance and distributed among trusted parties. Once counting begins, the parts are combined publicly to decrypt and tally the votes on the blockchain, preserving integrity.

Is it possible to vote at the ballot boxes?

In addition to online voting, residents may vote in person at polling stations. The polling station address can be found in the official station map on the city’s website. Double voting is not allowed, whether online or offline. Two methods are available at polling places: electronic terminals, which permit voting at any station regardless of residence, and traditional paper ballots, valid only at the registered station.

Question – answer

Is online voting available without permanent registration?

No. Only residents permanently registered in Moscow can vote for deputies to the Moscow City Duma. Only residents registered in TiNAO or Kurkino may vote for municipal deputies in those districts.

Is online voting allowed before the designated days?

No. Participation is limited to the set voting window from 8:00 on September 6 to 20:00 on September 8.

Are there accommodations for voters with reduced mobility?

Remote electronic voting is suitable for voters with limited mobility. A mobile device with internet access and a full mos.ru account are required. If online voting is not possible due to health or other reasons, a written or phone request to the district election commission can arrange at-home voting.