Blockchain technology may soon find a place in New York State’s electoral processes. On April 8, Assemblymember Clyde Vanel introduced Bill A07716, which instructs the state Board of Elections to explore how blockchain could enhance the safeguarding of voter records and election outcomes. The legislation is currently being reviewed by the Assembly Election Law Committee.
As outlined in the bill’s summary, the intention is to “examine and assess the application of blockchain technology to secure voter records and election results.” The legislation requires the Board of Elections to submit a report within a year that evaluates the potential advantages of using blockchain for election data security. This study is expected to incorporate insights from experts in blockchain, cybersecurity, voter fraud prevention, and election record management.
This initiative is not the first to seek to leverage the tamper-proof qualities of blockchain for electoral purposes. Earlier in March, the Bitcoin network was utilized to secure and archive the results of the March 4 election held by the Williamson County, Tennessee Republican Party to choose local leadership.
Around a year ago, independent mayoral candidate Brian Rose from London expressed to a media outlet that blockchain-based voting systems could enhance transparency and foster public trust in the electoral process. He remarked, “Wouldn’t we all rest easier knowing that the voting system was on the blockchain, allowing us to verify identity and prove the vote with an immutable record? This is the future, and it requires someone like me, with a business background and deep involvement in blockchain.”
However, experts caution that the reliability of blockchain systems hinges on the quality of the data inputted — a principle often encapsulated in the phrase “garbage in, garbage out.” While blockchain offers secure storage against tampering, it does not inherently ensure the integrity of the initial data submitted.
Vanel is well-versed in blockchain initiatives; he proposed legislation earlier in March to establish criminal penalties aimed at curtailing cryptocurrency fraud and safeguarding investors from scams. Additionally, he announced in January that New York became the first state in the U.S. to form a cryptocurrency task force dedicated to studying the regulation, application, and definition of digital currencies.
For years, he has actively commented on the industry and its interactions with lawmakers. In May 2019, Vanel suggested that the blockchain sector needs to improve its lobbying efforts and educate regulators more effectively.