New York Proposes Blockchain to Enhance Election Transparency

New York State Assembly member Clyde Vanel introduced a bill to explore the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing the security and integrity of elections.

The distributed ledger’s attributes, such as resistance to hacking and verifiability, could prevent fraud during electoral campaigns and restore trust in the system, according to the legislator.

Under the proposed document, the state’s election commission, in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology Services, is tasked with assessing blockchain’s capabilities in protecting voters’ personal data and ensuring the accuracy of election results.

At the time of writing, the bill is under review by the Assembly’s relevant committee. If passed, the authorised bodies would have a year to complete the study and present their findings to lawmakers and the governor.

For thoroughness and accuracy, the analysis is expected to involve experts in blockchain, cybersecurity, and voter protection. Vanel suggested that one outcome of the work could be proposals for using the technology in other areas.

Earlier, lawmakers in Georgia proposed introducing children to blockchain starting in kindergarten.