Electronic Voting System Using Separate Authentication and Voting Blockchains
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic voting systems that utilize blockchain for managing voting results, voters and their votes become associated, compromising the secrecy of the ballot when voting results are disclosed.
Innovation Solution
An electronic voting system comprising terminals, authentication servers, and voting servers, where authentication and voting data are managed using separate blockchains with distinct IDs, ensuring that voter identities and votes remain anonymous and resistant to alteration by implementing a consensus algorithm and anonymization criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single blockchain is used to manage both authentication and voting data, then the system structure is simplified, but voter anonymity is compromised as voters and votes become associated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blockchain system into two separate blockchains: an authentication blockchain for managing voter identification and a voting blockchain for recording votes. This segmentation prevents the association between voter identities and votes while maintaining system functionality. Each blockchain operates independently with its own data structure and access control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If blockchain data is made transparent for verification, then system reliability is improved, but voter secrecy is compromised as voting results disclose voter identities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sensitive voter identification information from the voting process by storing it separately in the authentication blockchain. The voting blockchain contains only vote data with anonymized references to voters, allowing verification of vote integrity without exposing voter identities. This extraction maintains reliability through blockchain verification while preserving secrecy.
3Ease of operation
If authentication and voting use the same ID system, then the system is easier to operate, but vote secrecy is lost as votes can be traced back to voters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary anonymous ID system that bridges authentication and voting processes. During authentication, voters receive temporary anonymous IDs that are linked to their real identities only through secure cryptographic relationships stored in the authentication blockchain. These anonymous IDs are used in the voting blockchain, creating a mediator layer that maintains operational simplicity while ensuring vote secrecy.
4Measurement precision
If the blockchain includes detailed voting information for verification, then measurement precision is improved, but voter anonymity deteriorates as association between voters and votes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different data quality characteristics to different blockchains. The authentication blockchain stores detailed voter information with high precision for identity verification, while the voting blockchain stores only essential vote data with anonymized voter references. This local differentiation of data quality ensures precise verification where needed while maintaining anonymity where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
An authentication server authenticates a voter using authentication data including a first identifier (ID) associated with the voter and authentication information regarding the voter. The authentication server further synchronizes a first blockchain. The first blockchain includes first transaction data indicating that the voter has been authenticated with one or more of other authentication servers. A voting server receives, from a terminal, voting data including a second ID associated with a vote cast by the voter and voting information indicating the vote. The voting server synchronizes a second blockchain including, as second transaction data, the voting information included in the voting data with one or more of other voting servers. The terminal transmits the authentication data to the authentication server and, after the authentication is successfully completed, transmits the voting data to the voting server.