San Diego Law Review
Document Type
Comments
Abstract
[B]lockchain technology provides a cryptographically secure and transparent method for transferring “digital assets.” Although blockchain technology is most commonly recognized as the technology that underpins virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, it may also hold the key to facilitating secure online elections in America. To preface the need for blockchain voting, Part II addresses the current problems with voting in the United States. Part III provides an elementary explanation of blockchain. Parts IV and V outline current election laws and explain how implementing blockchain voting would very likely comply with these laws. Transitioning to a new voting system, however, does not come without challenges. Thus, the remainder of Part V outlines valid concerns with and counterarguments against blockchain voting. Part VI advocates for congressional action, tracing the failed regulation of Bitcoin back to the lack of uniform guidance. The time is ripe for modernization, yet current proposals for online voting lack the sophistication necessary to implement a secure and trusted system. Thus, Part VII of this Comment proposes that Congress pass a bill authorizing the use of blockchain voting and incentivizing states to modernize voting systems using this innovative technology.
Recommended Citation
Jane Susskind,
Decrypting Democracy: Incentivizing Blockchain Voting Technology for an Improved Election System,
54
San Diego L. Rev.
785
(2017).
Available at:
https://digital.sandiego.edu/sdlr/vol54/iss4/4