If you've perchance stumbled over any of my previous ramblings, you'll know I believe blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we vote.
I mean, I've been writing about the matter now for over a year here on Hackernoon!
In that time, I've had the chance to speak with some of the foremost experts in the field, Amelia Powers-Gardener (now County Commissioner for Utah) and Philip Andreae (silver-tongued advocate for Voatz), amongst others, and I've learned a lot about the ways in which blockchain could, can and is being used to improve the voting process.
Now, I may have a slight bias here (having been asked to lend my humble talents to the team), but one of the most exciting projects in this space is DeVote, a remote ballot marking and return system that complies with all current US voting requirements.
What sets DeVote apart in particular, is its use of GROTH16 anonymity technology, which separates voter affidavits from voter ballots.
This ensures that every vote is completely anonymous, protecting the integrity of the voting process.
Why is this important?
Well, one of the key requirements for voting in the United States is that the ballot must be separate from the voter's identity.
This is designed to protect the integrity of the voting process and ensure that every vote is anonymous.
However, achieving this separation can be difficult, as it requires a system that can securely store and manage a large number of ballots while keeping them anonymous.
One way to understand the challenges of separating ballots from voter identity is to think about a traditional ballot box. In this system, voters drop their ballots into the box, and the votes are counted once the polls close.
However, there is no way to ensure that the ballots are anonymous, as anyone could potentially see how an individual voted.
This is why many people argue that traditional ballot boxes are not secure enough for modern elections.
Another way to understand the challenges of separating ballots from voter identity is to think about online voting. In this system, voters cast their ballots electronically, often through a website or app.
While this can be more convenient for voters, it also introduces new security risks. Hackers could potentially access the system and alter the votes, or the system could be vulnerable to other types of cyber attacks.
This is why it is so important to have a secure system that can protect the anonymity of the ballots.
The use of GROTH16 blockchain technology offers a promising solution to these challenges.
By using a decentralized, distributed ledger to store and manage ballots, it is possible to achieve a high level of security and anonymity.
This is why DeVote is such an exciting project, as it combines the convenience of remote voting with the security and anonymity of traditional ballot boxes.
The current version of DeVote is an MVP, but the final product will be fully decentralized and scalable on a cutting-edge blockchain.
This is a game-changer, as it means that the system will be able to handle a large number of votes without any centralized points of failure.
I'm honored to be part of the wider team bringing this project to life, and I believe that this project has the potential to change the world. Maybe you disagree, but that's the beauty of living in a democratic society, right?
The ability to vote securely and anonymously from anywhere is a powerful tool, and I can't wait to see how it is used in the future. I'll be following progress closely to keep you up to date every step of the way.
If you're not convinced yet, follow along, I'm confident that at the very least it will have a significant impact on the way we think about voting.