E-Government: To Connect, Protect, and Serve Us

1. E-Government: To Connect, Protect, and Serve Us Study conducted by HART-TEETERfor The Council for Excellence in Government November 2001

2. E-Government Playing An Increasingly Important Role Today, 67% of adults (up from 63% in 2000) are Internet users, three in four (77%) of whom use the Internet very/somewhat often. 76% of Internet users have visited a government Web site. Have used local gov’t. Web site Have used state gov’t. Web site Have used federalgov’t. Web site

3. State And Local Government Investing In E-Government (% of state/local gov’t officials saying they offer selected info/services on their agency’s Web site) 2000 70% N/A 58% 69% 70% 45% N/A Documents Links to other government sites Feedback mechanism Calendar/event information Constituent services Search engine Web-based service apps 93% of state officials and 79% of local officials say they have made significant changes to their sites.

4. E-Government Seen as Helpful “Were the Web sites you visited helpful or not helpful?” 56% of Internet users say it is very/fairly safe to use health information from government sites; 31% say the same about health info from private companies. It was more generalized information at first. Now it’s targeting more toward things that you really can benefit from. Internet user Federal agencies Dept of state gov’t Dept of local gov’t

5. Internet Users See Great Potential Driver’s license renewal Clearing house site: eligibility for gov’t programs/benefits Research health info from CDC/gov’t agencies File change of address: info automatically disseminated Respond to jury summons Info on road closures due to weather Info on candidates’ voting Comment site: proposed legislation/regulations

6. Most Important Result of E-Government Best Way E-Gov Can Improve Gov’t Accountability Accountability Homeland security Access to info Convenient services Cost effective 30% 18% 17% 15% 14% Allow people to communicate opinions on issues quickly Allow people to tell gov’t about info they need/problems Give people more info about gov’t policies/decisions Allow voters to learn about candidates’ records/positions 29% 21% 21% 16% Key Benefit Of E-Government: Accountability

7. Govt’s investing in federal/ state/local system to exchange info easily/securely to apprehend/ prosecute criminals and terrorists Will e-gov make government’s ability to protect the public from terrorism better or worse? Not sure Make it worse Not sure Less/not favorable Make it better Very/fairly favorable No change Public Sees E-Gov Contributing To Fight Against Terrorism For six months, these terrorists were in Florida in a flight training school, and all their names were on one of those lists . . . If [the government] had cross-communicated, they might have been found out. Internet user

8. Priorities In E-Government (% saying each should be top priority of investment in e-government) Protecting public health and safety Providing for defense and national security Providing safety net for poor and elderly Encouraging science and research Informing/involving citizens in government Helping businesses meet regulations/compete abroad 77% believe e-gov will improve govt’s ability to coordinate a response to public health threats

9. Internet users should be willing to give up a little privacy of on-line communications so law enforcement is better able to track down terrorists Internet users should NOT be willing to give up any privacy of on-line communications, because terrorists win if privacy/civil liberties are lost Majorities Support Loss Of A Little Privacy If Helpful Against Terrorism All adults Internet users Age 18 to 34 Age 65/over Democrats Republicans Independents

10. National ID would make electronic transactions with gov’t & business faster/ more secure; easier for people to verify their identity in airports/gov’t offices National ID is way to keep track of people, invasion of civil liberties/privacy; although voluntary, more difficult to prove identity/make transactions if you chose not to get card Public Has Mixed Feelings About National ID Cards All Adults Age 50+ Under 50 Democrats Independents GOPs

11. Public Concerned About Security Of Information (% extremely concerned about each, 9-10 on 10-point scale) Someone stealing your identity by obtaining info stored by the government High school/less 76% – College grads 57% Hackers breaking into government computers My concern is that someone wants the information either to ruin my credit, which is very valuable, or to use it for identity theft. Internet user

12. Public Uncertainty About E-Gov Monetary Transactions Among Internet Users Buying things over the Internet with a credit card at a secure Web site Buying things over the Internet with a credit card Paying a ticket or fine using a credit card on a government Web site

13. Government-citizen communication using Internet should proceed: Quickly: opptys for improved services, communication, efficiency in government Slowly: many have no Internet access, security/privacy issues unresolved Two Views On How To Proceed General public Gov’t officials

14. E-Government: To Connect, Protect, and Serve Us Study conducted by HART-TEETERfor The Council for Excellence in Government November 2001

16. E-Gov Has New Significance: Homeland Security (% saying investing in each e-gov area is very/fairly important) Communication between agencies/ all levels of gov’t. so better able to protect homeland security Providing citizens with gov’t. info/ services that are easier to use Communication/efficiency between agencies and federal, state, and local governments Congress providing Internet means for citizens to stay informed/voice their concerns and opinions Helping business use gov’t. resources/comply with regulations