Two-Part Ballot With Carbonless Copy Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In democratic elections, there is a risk of honest errors or nefarious tampering with ballots that can lead to inaccurate recording and counting, compromising the fairness and safety of the electoral process, and voters lack a reliable method to verify that their anonymous ballots are correctly recorded.

Innovation Solution

A two-part ballot system with identical voting information on each sheet, where one sheet is carbonless copy paper to transfer marks to the other, and a unique identifier obscured by a removable seal, allowing voters to verify their votes by reading and recording the unique identifier and vote using a computer database and website.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single ballot sheet is used for voting, then the voting process is simple, but voters cannot verify that their ballots are correctly recorded and tallied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballot recording accuracyVSAvoidballot structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ballot is divided into two separate sheets: a voting sheet for casting votes and a verification sheet for confirming ballot recording. Each sheet contains identical voting information and unique identifiers, allowing voters to verify their ballots were correctly recorded while maintaining a simple voting process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The verification sheet serves as a copy of the voting sheet, containing identical voting information and unique identifier. This copy allows voters to verify their ballot was correctly recorded and tallied without compromising the original ballot's integrity or anonymity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If voter identifiers are visible on ballots, then ballot verification is enabled, but voter anonymity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballot verificationVSAvoidvoter identification risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ballot system separates the voting function from the verification function by using two distinct sheets. The unique identifier is present on both sheets but only becomes meaningful for verification when the voter possesses both the voting sheet and verification sheet together, preventing unauthorized identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unique identifier acts as an intermediary element that enables verification without directly linking voter identity to ballot content. The identifier alone is meaningless; it requires pairing with the verification sheet (which the voter possesses) to confirm ballot recording, thus maintaining anonymity while enabling verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple copies of ballots are distributed, then verification capability is improved, but the risk of tampering and errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballot verificationVSAvoidtampering risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The voting sheet and verification sheet are merged into a single ballot package with identical voting information and unique identifiers. This unified structure ensures that verification is tied to the specific ballot instance, preventing tampering while enabling verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification sheet provides immediate feedback to voters about whether their ballot was correctly recorded. By comparing the voting sheet with the verification sheet, voters can confirm their ballot integrity, creating a feedback mechanism that detects tampering or errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system enhances voter confidence by ensuring accurate recording and verification of ballots, maintaining voter privacy, and allowing for quick confirmation of election results, reducing the risk of errors and tampering.

Implementation Method 1

The first sheet is a copy paper which is configured to copy the first mark onto the second sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbonless copy paper transfer:

Data Source

PatentUS10332329B1System and method for transparent elections

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 EKIMOV SERGUEI

AI summary

Herein is disclosed a ballot for voting in an election. The ballot consists of first and second sheets having identical voting information for recording a vote printed thereon. The first and second sheets are attached together such that the first sheet overlays the second sheet and the identical voting information of the sheets overlap precisely. The first sheet is adapted to receive a first mark recording a vote by means of a writing implement. The first sheet is a copy paper which is configured to copy the first mark onto the second sheet. The first sheet is configured to be easily detachable from the first sheet. Each of the first and second sheets have an identifier, the identifier being unique to the ballot, the identifier on each sheet being obscured by a seal overlaying the identifier. The seal is configured to be easily removed to reveal the underlying identifier.