Electronic Voting System Using Transaction Mediator for Secure Remote Ballot Casting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional voting systems are cumbersome and prone to errors, with concerns about security and privacy hindering the adoption of electronic voting systems that could provide greater convenience, accuracy, and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An electronic voting system that allows voters to register and cast ballots over a network using a transaction mediator and a transaction repository server, employing asymmetric cryptographic functions for secure voter identification and ballot verification, enabling secure and efficient electronic transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional paper ballot voting systems are used, then security and privacy are maintained through physical control, but convenience and accessibility are reduced due to required physical attendance at polling places
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transaction mediator as an intermediary component that sits between the voter's client and the vote repository server. This mediator verifies voter eligibility, manages cryptographic key pairs, and coordinates the voting process, thereby enabling convenient remote voting while maintaining security through a trusted third-party architecture that prevents direct unauthorized access to vote storage.
2Ease of operation
If electronic voting systems are implemented over networks, then convenience and accessibility are improved by allowing remote voting, but security and privacy concerns increase due to network vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical security measures (physical polling places, paper ballot handling) with cryptographic mechanisms. Voters receive cryptographic identification and key pairs, votes are encrypted and digitally signed, and the system uses public-key infrastructure to authenticate voters and protect ballot secrecy, thereby securing electronic voting against network threats without requiring physical presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-distributing cryptographic key pairs to voters before the voting event, pre-verifying voter registration status through the transaction mediator, and pre-establishing secure communication channels. This preliminary cryptographic setup enables voters to securely cast votes remotely without exposing themselves to network security risks during the actual voting process.
3Productivity
If manual voter registration processes are used, then security is maintained through in-person verification, but time and administrative resources are consumed due to paperwork and mailing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service voter registration where voters can electronically submit their own registration information through the transaction mediator. The system automatically verifies eligibility against existing databases, generates cryptographic identification, and completes registration without requiring manual processing by election officials, thereby dramatically reducing both time and administrative resources while maintaining security through automated verification protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for completing and submitting an electronic voter registration form and an electronic ballot over a network. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a blank registration form is transmitted, upon request at a first computer, via a transaction mediator, to the first computer. Registration information is transmitted from the first computer, via a transaction mediator, to a computer database that resides on a transaction repository server, all of which are networked together, to establish a registered voter. Upon request by a registered voter at a second computer, a blank electronic ballot is transmitted from the computer database that resides on the transaction repository server, via a transaction mediator, to the second computer. A voted electronic ballot is transmitted from the second computer, via the transaction mediator, to the computer database that resides on the transaction repository server.