1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-83171) of National Information Consortium, Inc. of our report dated September 2, 1999, with respect to the financial statements of eFed, a Division of Electric Press, Inc. for the two years ended December 31, 1998 included in this Form 8-K dated November 15, 1999 of National Information Consortium, Inc. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP McLean, Virginia November 15, 1999