The Inefficacy of Using Blockchain for Secure National Online Voting Systems

The concept of utilizing blockchain technology to create a secure national online voting system is intriguing but remains fraught with challenges and limitations. Proponents argue that blockchain can offer a secure, tamper-evident, and transparent way to conduct elections. However, a deep dive into the practicalities reveals several critical issues that make blockchain an unsuitable choice for such systems.

The Challenges of Implementing Blockchain Voting Systems

One of the fundamental challenges lies in the inherent design of blockchain technology. While blockchain shines in certain areas, such as maintaining a secure and transparent transaction log, its application to voting systems presents unique and insurmountable issues:

Inefficiency as a Transaction Log: Blockchain technology is known for its high computational demands, which can make it expensive and inefficient. Transactions on a blockchain network require significant processing power, making it impractical as a robust transaction log for a large-scale voting system. Costly and Inefficient: Equivalent traceability can be achieved with conventional distributed transactional systems, which are much more cost-effective and efficient. These systems can provide the level of security and transparency required without the prohibitive costs associated with blockchain technology.

The Need for a Secret Ballot

A paramount requirement for any democratic election is the secret ballot, which ensures that individual votes remain private and cannot be traced back to the voter. This is essential to prevent coercion and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. However, blockchain, by its very nature, lacks the mechanisms necessary to maintain the secrecy of individual votes:

Identifying Voters: Blockchain technology is not equipped to verify the identity of voters effectively. This leaves open the possibility of voter fraud, where a single individual could cast multiple votes using different names. Complicated Systems with Greater Risks: Increasing the complexity of a voting system can introduce unforeseen bugs and vulnerabilities. This is particularly concerning in a domain as critical as elections, where reliability and security are paramount.

Historical Precedents and Paper Ballots

The efficacy of paper ballots has been well-established over decades. These traditional methods offer robust, reliable, and easy-to-maintain systems that have proven to be effective and secure:

Simple and Reliable: Paper ballots are simple, efficient, and low-maintenance. They require minimal infrastructure and are resistant to technological failures. Well-Documented Benefits: In the United States, for example, states with well-designed paper ballot systems have not seen issues similar to the “hanging chads” controversy that affected Florida during the 2000 election.

The Pernicious Myths Surrounding Blockchain Voting

There is a tendency among some individuals to advocate for blockchain technology in voting systems simply because it is the latest and most technologically advanced solution. However, this approach is misguided and can lead to significant problems:

The Myth of Universal Blockchain Adoption: Advocating for the use of blockchain technology without a thorough understanding of its limitations can quickly lead to a proliferation of new issues. The Myth of Absolute Security: While blockchain can provide a secure and immutable record, it cannot solve the core issue of voter identity and the complexity of the voting system. Trusting blockchain technology for such critical processes remains a gamble with potentially severe consequences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while blockchain technology has transformative potential in many areas, it is not a suitable solution for secure national online voting systems. The inherent inefficiencies, the lack of a secret ballot mechanism, and the potential for introducing more risks than benefits make blockchain an unsuitable choice. Paper ballots and well-designed traditional systems remain the most reliable and secure methods for conducting elections. Understanding the limitations and complexities of blockchain is crucial for policymakers and technologists seeking to improve the integrity of the electoral process.