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My main criticism is that these systems don't address the actual challenges that elections face, and the introduction of networked technology likely introduces

My main criticism is that these systems don't address the actual challenges that elections face, and the introduction of networked technology likely introduces a lot of poorly-understood risks. I'm a poll worker and a security researcher. Doing the former has really given me perspective on the latter. While a lot of blockchain voting proponents come up with all sorts of schemes to solve ballot-stuffing attacks, the reality is that we really don't care about that on the ground; it's just not a problem we encounter. The real problems come from more mundane things like power outages, being physically locked out of the polling place, poll worker exhaustion, out-of-date records used to verify eligiblity, and voters taking a bathroom break and subsequently walking away with their ballots unaccounted for. Technology really doesn't solve any of that. In fact, introducing networked computers into elections only makes it less scrutable to the public. In my precinct, the first voter to show up gets to verify that the ballot bin is empty and that the scanner reports all zeroes for the count. Then they witness us putting security seals on the equipment and reporting the serial numbers to the county. Anyone from the voting public can understand this and do their part to keep us honest. Computers make this sort of simple check inaccessible to most people.

sebmellen 6y ago
This is why I've also repeatedly stated in this thread that I am not in favor or blockchain-based voting, or even broad-scale mail-in voting (yet). You're correct to an extent, but I believe with advances in cryptography (zero-knowledge proofs, quantum-secure encryption, etc.), these concerns will fall away. People regularly use their smartphones to do things that are high-risk and need to be secure. Take online banking. Of course, elections carry an entirely different set of challenges, but to say they can't in theory be solved with careful encryption, analysis, and review, is (in my opinion) foolish. I will again bring up the example of Estonia, which has had massive success with its hybrid in-person / e-Voting system. Estonians have been educated by their government on how the technology works and how it is auditable. Every Estonian carries an ID card which they use to access their bank details, get healthcare, and vote. I would also argue that technology does solve the problems you listed, and very well! > Blockchain voting proponents come up with all sorts of schemes to solve ballot-stuffing attacks, the reality is that we really don't care about that on the ground; it's just not a problem we encounter. The real problems come from more mundane things like power outages, being physically locked out of the polling place, poll worker exhaustion, out-of-date records used to verify eligiblity, and voters taking a bathroom break and subsequently walking away with their ballots unaccounted for. Except for power outages, none of these issues would occur in a remote, electronic voting system. A well implemented e-Voting system could expand voter rights and access to voting tremendously.

sebmellen 6y ago

This is why I've also repeatedly stated in this thread that I am not in favor or blockchain-based voting, or even broad-scale mail-in voting (yet). You're correct to an extent, but I believe with advances in cryptography (zero-knowledge proofs, quantum-secure encryption, etc.), these concerns will fall away. People regularly use their smartphones to do things that are high-risk and need to be secure. Take online banking. Of course, elections carry an entirely different set of challenges, but to say they can't in theory be solved with careful encryption, analysis, and review, is (in my opinion) foolish. I will again bring up the example of Estonia, which has had massive success with its hybrid in-person / e-Voting system. Estonians have been educated by their government on how the technology works and how it is auditable. Every Estonian carries an ID card which they use to access their bank details, get healthcare, and vote. I would also argue that technology does solve the problems you listed, and very well! > Blockchain voting proponents come up with all sorts of schemes to solve ballot-stuffing attacks, the reality is that we really don't care about that on the ground; it's just not a problem we encounter. The real problems come from more mundane things like power outages, being physically locked out of the polling place, poll worker exhaustion, out-of-date records used to verify eligiblity, and voters taking a bathroom break and subsequently walking away with their ballots unaccounted for. Except for power outages, none of these issues would occur in a remote, electronic voting system. A well implemented e-Voting system could expand voter rights and access to voting tremendously.