LibraryScenariosWhen democratic infrastructure becomes a technical mystery
Scenario

When democratic infrastructure becomes a technical mystery

My state's voting machines are fifteen years old and run Windows XP but the election officials say they are secure and I do not know enough about computers to argue.

Laozi
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More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Critical civic systems now depend on specialized knowledge that ordinary citizens cannot evaluate, making informed consent impossible.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Technology and democracy?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.