Estimating Carbon Footprint of Paper and Internet Voting

Abstract This paper compares the carbon footprint of voting in polling stations with emissions remote vote casting via Internet. We identify process steps most significant terms $$\textrm{CO}_2$$ CO 2 equivalent, design a methodology to quantify these and give comparative analysis based on example Estonian parliamentary elections 2023. Our results show that has about 180 times higher footprint, owing largely need transport voters back.