New York Proposes Blockchain Study for Election Security

New York is at the forefront of exploring innovative ways to enhance the security and integrity of its electoral processes. Assembly Bill A7716, introduced by Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, proposes a comprehensive study on the integration of blockchain technology into the state's voting systems. The bill aims to investigate how blockchain can be used to protect voter rolls and election outcomes, emphasizing transparency, immutability, and public confidence in democratic processes.

The legislation, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, calls for a detailed examination of blockchain's application in voter registration, vote counting, and election result verification. This approach is not about rushing into implementation but rather about conducting a thorough analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks, including security, cost, scalability, and legal considerations. The study would provide legislators with actionable data within a year of enactment, serving as a blueprint for future legislative action.

The bill is a response to growing concerns about the stability of public trust in election infrastructure. Issues such as foreign tampering, disinformation, aging infrastructure, and close election results have contributed to a climate where even verified outcomes are disputed. By exploring the use of blockchain technology, A7716 aims to restore trust in voters with election results that cannot be disputed.

If passed, the bill would require the New York State Board of Elections to collaborate with technologists and industry experts to assess blockchain's potential application in several key areas. These include voter registration systems to prevent double voting and unauthorized tampering, ballot security to provide a digital, trackable record for each vote, result reporting to reduce delays and improve accuracy, and voter identity protection to safeguard personal data within encrypted records.

The ensuing report would include technical infrastructure requirements, security audits and threat analysis, implementation schedules and budgets, legal and regulatory concerns, and potential pilot programs or public tests. This comprehensive study would decide whether to proceed with the actual rollout of blockchain technologies in election systems, setting the stage for a multi-year implementation plan to modernize New York's elections.

While the idea of using blockchain in elections is controversial, governments worldwide are increasingly exploring its potential. For instance, Estonia uses blockchain to secure its online government services, and Utah has tested blockchain-based elections for overseas military personnel. Brazil and South Korea have also looked into similar research projects. However, A7716 is not aimed at distant internet voting, which raises security concerns for most experts. Instead, it focuses on using blockchain to support back-end security, modernizing internal mechanisms without replacing in-person voting.

The bill has entered the early stages of legislative review, including possible committee hearings and budgetary review. If it passes both the Assembly and Senate and is signed into law, the subsequent feasibility study could pave the way for a multi-year implementation plan to computerize New York's elections. This initiative marks one of the first government attempts by an American state to incorporate blockchain into core electoral infrastructure, highlighting New York's leadership in modernizing democratic processes.