The Scottish government published an ambitious programme for reforming elections this week, which should be carefully read by everyone interested in elections across the UK.

The one aspect (among many, many, many other important ones…) to catch the press was the proposal to trial electronic voting methods, such as internet voting.

Here is a quick reminder of what happened last time internet voting was trialled in the UK, in the Conversation:

One achievement for 2017, as the year comes to an end, is that it has added a new word to the English language: youthquake. The idea is that previously silent and apathetic young people have awoken to exert their democratic influence on the electoral process.

Despite a 401% increase in usage of the word, a real youthquake is yet to happen. Voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds at the 2017 general election saw an upswing from 2015, but still only half (54%) voted. Participation in other types of elections remains much lower. Huge proportions of young people are also missing from the electoral register. There is therefore still a major gap in levels of electoral participation in Britain.

Now the Scottish government has published plans to reform how Scottish parliamentary and Scottish local elections are run, including an idea that many think will bring in younger people – internet voting.

Read it in full here.