American expatriate recalls fax experience in Turku as voting technology evolves

What is a fax, anyway? Baby Boomers might know, but younger generations may not. It is a telecommunications technology that was previously used to transmit copies of physical documents over long distances via telephone lines. The advent of the internet and email led to faxes being phased out of offices.

However, American expatriates still recognize the fax, as just a few years ago, they could vote in their country’s elections by faxing their ballots. Chris Keith, a Californian now living in Turku, recalls that upon moving to Finland, he had to ponder where to find a fax machine. Ultimately, he discovered one in the back room of a local bank, albeit covered in dust.

“The clerk admitted they had a fax machine but questioned whether it still worked,” Keith recounts. Nevertheless, he successfully cast his vote.

Voting technology has since modernized, although the process is still not straightforward. In the presidential elections, Keith printed a form, marked his choices, and then sent the scanned document online to his voting district in California. There, an official reprints the form for counting.

“There’s a small issue with ballot secrecy in this system, but I trust the officials back home,” Keith states.

Voters may have to wait for results, but Keith has faith in his country’s voting system and dismisses any talk of electoral fraud.

“Whatever the outcome, it is trustworthy. Volunteers from both parties ensure everything runs smoothly.”

You can follow the presidential election results on Yle’s results service.