New York Considers Blockchain for Election Security

New York Assemblymember Clyde Vanel introduced Bill A07716 on April 8, directing the state Board of Elections to evaluate how blockchain could help protect voter records and election results. The legislation is currently under consideration by the Assembly Election Law Committee. The bill mandates that the Board of Elections produce a report within one year assessing the potential benefits of blockchain in securing election data. The study must include input from experts in blockchain, cybersecurity, voter fraud and election recordkeeping.

The goal of the bill is to study and evaluate the use of blockchain technology to protect voter records and election results. This initiative is not the first of its kind, as blockchain technology has been explored for its tamper-proof features in the voting process. For instance, the Bitcoin network was used to secure and store the results of the Williamson County, Tennessee Republican Party Convention’s March 4 election. Brian Rose, an independent mayoral candidate in London, also highlighted the potential of blockchain-based voting systems to foster more transparency and public trust in the election process.

However, experts caution that blockchain systems are only as reliable as the data input into them. While blockchain offers tamper-resistant storage, it does not guarantee the integrity of the original data submission. This concept is often summarized as “garbage in, garbage out.”

Assemblymember Vanel has been actively involved in blockchain-related initiatives. He introduced a bill that would establish criminal penalties to prevent cryptocurrency fraud and protect investors from rug pulls in early March. In January, he stated that New York became the first US state to create a cryptocurrency task force to study the regulation, use and definition of digital currency. Vanel has also been vocal about the industry's need to better lobby for itself and educate regulators.

The proposed study aims to thoroughly review blockchain's capabilities in safeguarding voter records and election results. It will explore the benefits of blockchain for elections and identify other areas where the technology could add value. The Board of Elections will have one year to complete the study and report its findings to state lawmakers and the governor. The research will involve consultation with experts in cybersecurity, voter protection, and blockchain development to ensure a comprehensive and accurate review.

If approved, the bill could significantly shift how New York approaches digital trust and election transparency. The proposal reflects a broader trend of blockchain adoption in public sectors across the United States. Officials have increasingly explored decentralized technologies to boost transparency and trust in various administrative functions. This trend signals a growing acceptance of blockchain as a tool for governance and data integrity, both domestically and internationally.