Blockchain Technology Could Restore Trust in U.S. Elections Opinion

Election integrity has been a hot-button issue in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, but it shouldn't be. As the U.S. election season draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the systems we use to vote in this country, ensuring we address the rising skepticism about election integrity—whether from the left or the right.

According to Gallup, the percentage of Americans who say they are "not at all confident" in the accuracy of the vote has climbed from 6% in 2004 to 19% today. This lack of trust is particularly evident in Republicans, whose confidence in presidential elections has fallen by 16 points since 2020, while Democrats’ trust remains relatively stable at around 84%.

Regardless of the reasons for this political divide, the fact that nearly 1 in 5 Americans lack confidence in our electoral system is a serious issue. There are numerous vulnerabilities in the current process—whether it's issues with mail-in voting, election machines susceptible to hacking (as highlighted in the HBO documentary Kill Chain), instances of deceased individuals being listed as voters, or various forms of voter intimidation. These risks threaten election integrity, regardless of political affiliation.

In contrast, other democracies, like Taiwan, have successfully implemented simple and transparent voting systems. Voting there happens on a single day with paper ballots, which are counted publicly in just a few hours. The U.S., on the other hand, often experiences delays in vote tabulation—sometimes for days in swing states like Georgia and Pennsylvania. If Taiwan can determine election results within hours.

Blockchain as a Solution

The ongoing debate over election reform often pits calls for a return to paper ballots, stricter voter ID requirements, and limitations on absentee voting against concerns over voter access and rights. But what if there was a less divisive solution to improve election integrity—one that leverages blockchain technology with zero-knowledge proofs? Here’s how that could work.

A blockchain-based voting system would rely on an on-chain voting contract where the validity of each transaction would be verified by the entire blockchain network, not just local election officials or poll workers. Everyone participating in the network would have a role in validating the votes, ensuring transparency and trust at every level.

Here’s what this could look like in practice: Voters could use their mobile devices or computers to vote remotely. In states with voter ID requirements, a “proof of personhood” could be verified using biometric technology, similar to Worldcoin’s iris scan. In states without voter ID, the same identity verification system would still ensure that the individual casting the vote is who they claim to be—at that moment.

This would solve several issues. First, it would guarantee that each individual votes only once, and the voting process would be securely tied to their identity. Additionally, voters could cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes, eliminating concerns about intimidation at polling stations.

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) would enhance privacy. With ZKPs, it would be possible to prove that a person voted without revealing what they voted for—ensuring both the integrity and confidentiality of the vote. This combination of identity verification and cryptographic privacy would make a blockchain voting system nearly immune to fraud.

Such a system would also make voting much easier. There would be no need to wait in long lines at polling stations, potentially increasing voter turnout, especially in underserved communities. U.S. citizens living abroad, who usually vote absentee, could simply log into an app and cast their ballots remotely.

A More Accessible, Democratic System

Critics of voter ID laws often argue that they disproportionately affect certain demographics, such as low-income individuals, the elderly, or people without transportation to polling stations. A blockchain-based voting system would address these concerns by offering a far more accessible and flexible alternative. Whether someone is at home with young children, has mobility challenges, or lives in a rural area far from a polling site, they would be able to vote remotely without losing the integrity of the process.

We’ve already seen the power of blockchain technology in other areas, such as the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which digitized and recorded 42 million vehicle titles on-chain this year. This innovation allows vehicle owners to transfer titles instantly via a mobile app, reducing processing time from weeks to minutes. If we can trust blockchain for something as important as vehicle ownership, why not trust it with our votes?

Looking Ahead

As blockchain and zero-knowledge proofs become more widely adopted, it’s time to modernize our voting systems. A blockchain-based election system would be more democratic, secure, and efficient—enabling higher voter turnout, reducing fraud, and boosting confidence in election results.

With the technology available today, we have an opportunity to make elections more transparent and accessible in a bipartisan way. The American people deserve an election system they can trust. It’s time to take action and restore faith in our electoral process—before skepticism continues to erode public confidence in democracy itself.