Ballot Shreddable Section Blockchain Voting Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voting systems face security vulnerabilities and inefficiencies, including the potential for large-scale ballot tampering, lack of voter anonymity, and inadequate verification processes, which can compromise the integrity of the voting process.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines paper ballots with blockchain technology, utilizing a paper document with a main section and a shreddable section containing a private key, scanned and digitally signed to create an immutable and transparent record, ensuring voter anonymity and preventing tampering through cryptographic puzzles and multiple stakeholder validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paper ballots are used for voting, then voter anonymity and physical security are improved, but the risk of ballot tampering and manual counting errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the paper ballot and stores it on a blockchain. The digital copy includes a hash of the ballot image and the private key, allowing verification without exposing the actual vote. This copying mechanism enables tamper-evident recording while maintaining voter anonymity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a blockchain as an intermediary between the paper ballot and the vote counting system. The blockchain acts as a trusted intermediary that records ballot information in an immutable, transparent manner, eliminating the need for manual counting and reducing tampering risks.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual counting of paper ballots is used, then simplicity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with automated optical scanning and blockchain verification. The system uses image scanning to extract vote data and blockchain technology to verify and record votes automatically, eliminating manual counting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the ballot that can be automatically processed and counted. The digital representation allows for rapid scanning, verification, and recording without requiring physical handling and manual counting of paper ballots.
3Productivity
If electronic voting systems are implemented, then voting speed and accessibility are improved, but security vulnerabilities and manipulation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain as a secure intermediary layer between electronic voting and the final vote count. The blockchain provides cryptographic security and immutability, protecting against manipulation while enabling fast electronic vote casting and verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a cryptographically secured digital copy of the vote on the blockchain, which serves as a tamper-evident record. This digital copy can be verified by anyone without compromising voter anonymity or allowing manipulation of the vote data.
4Reliability
If blockchain technology is integrated with paper ballots, then transparency and tamper-evident recording are improved, but system complexity and implementation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ballot into distinct components: the physical paper ballot, the digital image copy, the cryptographic hash, and the blockchain record. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function while simplifying the overall implementation and verification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple copying mechanisms to create digital representations of the paper ballot and store them on the blockchain. The copying process involves scanning the ballot, extracting the private key, and creating a hash, which are straightforward operations that don't significantly increase system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for voting including vote casting and vote counting. The system provides a paper ballot having a main section and a shreddable section. The main section includes a ballot ID, a ballot public key of a ballot public and private key pair, a set of voting options, and a machine-readable code at an end of the main section. The machine-readable code is configured to instruct a scanner device to stop scanning. The shreddable section includes a ballot private key of the ballot public and private key pair printed thereon. A scanner can read the information on the marked paper ballot, read the private key from the shreddable section, and shred the shreddable section. Scanner digitally signs image data using the ballot private key and scanner private key and applies “publicly solvable puzzle-based encryption” to the same. Scanner can transmit the encrypted image data to a blockchain server.