Can Blockchain Solve Current Voting Systems’ Issues?
Does blockchain technology like Ethereum hold the key to solving the potential issues affecting current voting systems? That is one of the core questions that an ETHTerakoya working group is seeking to address.
One of the core lessons of 2020’s US election is that current voting systems may be surrounded by a lack of trust exploitable by people wishing to question the results. Even when the voting is proven to be happening in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, as has been the case in the US, there is room for doubt. Part of the reason seems to have to do with the mechanics of current voting systems. There is a lack of clarity surrounding the voting process itself and further handling of votes. This is one of the issues that an ETHTerakoya working group has investigated, seeking to develop recommendations for solutions that may negate current systems’ issues.
Using Blockchain for Voting
The working group has been examining how blockchain technology can be used as a backbone for creating voting solutions that increase trust and make voting easier. This includes easing the voting process for certain groups of society, such as the elderly. Initial findings suggest that blockchain systems, such as Ethereum, maybe well-suited as part of the solution to some of the issues surrounding voting systems.
In a series of articles, we want to explore some of the issues that voting systems are currently challenged by and the proposed solutions. The goal is to share the insights generated and form a platform to invite other interested parties, including developers, to make suggestions for how to use the systems to improve the possibilities of using technology to remedy some of the issues facing current voting systems.
Current System Issues
In the US, the ongoing disputes illustrate that voting systems are susceptible to attack. That is not only after the results clearly showed that Joe Biden had won the election. Leading up to the election, many issues regarding the often-hard processes surrounding getting identified as a voter were limiting the number of people who could participate in the democratic process.
Other issues also affect the voting process in current systems. For example, it can be difficult for some groups of the population to travel to voting locations. Moving the voting process online and ensuring correct voting procedure may help mitigate some of the issues.
These are some of the areas that we will look to address.
Blockchain as the Backbone
The above is not to say that blockchain and technology presents an easily applicable fix-all to address all issues surrounding current voting procedures and systems.
The ETHTerakoya working group, including members from Couger Inc. major Japanese corporations, law experts, and blockchain thought leaders, have sought to address the issues in a Japan-centered context. The work, which has generously been backed by the Ethereum Alliance, has taken places over the course of 2020, and will likely continue into 2021.
The initial findings are that blockchain can indeed be used to improve the voting process.
However, there needs to be further work on exactly how that process will take place.
In a series of articles, we will explore some of the working group’s findings and topics discussed. The aim is to open up for a wider discussion about how blockchain and technology may be used to update our voting procedures.
About ETHTerakoya
ETHTerakoya is a community that digs deep into issues from the perspective of technology, business, and law, and gives companies the ability to run their blockchain businesses on their own.
