Electronic Voting System Using Separate Blockchains
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic voting systems that utilize blockchain for reliability and secrecy, voters and their votes become associated when voting results are disclosed, compromising the secret ballot.
Innovation Solution
The system employs separate authentication and voting servers with distinct blockchains, using different identifiers for authentication and voting data, and randomly determines block inclusion for voting transaction data to maintain secrecy and prevent alteration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single blockchain is used to store both authentication data and voting data, then the system structure is simplified, but voter anonymity is compromised as votes can be associated with voters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blockchain into two separate chains: an authentication blockchain for storing voter authentication data and a voting blockchain for storing vote data. This segmentation prevents association between voter identities and votes while maintaining system functionality. The authentication blockchain contains voter verification information, while the voting blockchain contains only anonymized vote records with random identifiers.
2Reliability
If voting data is stored in a blockchain for reliability and alteration prevention, then data integrity is improved, but voter secrecy is compromised when results are disclosed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voter identification information from the voting data by using separate identifier systems. Voting data is assigned random identifiers that have no correlation with voter identities. The authentication process is separated into a different blockchain, so when voting results are disclosed on the voting blockchain, no voter identification information is present to compromise secrecy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a random identifier as an intermediary between the voter and the vote. Instead of directly linking voter identity to vote content, a random identifier serves as a mediator that breaks the association. This intermediary element ensures that even though votes are stored immutably on the blockchain, they cannot be traced back to specific voters.
3Ease of manufacture
If authentication and voting use the same identifier system, then the system is easier to implement, but the ability to maintain secret ballots is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different identifier quality requirements to different parts of the system. The authentication blockchain uses identifiers suitable for verifying voter identity, while the voting blockchain uses completely different random identifiers suitable for maintaining secrecy. Each blockchain has locally optimized identifier characteristics appropriate to its specific function.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling one of voting servers in an electronic voting system is provided. The method includes receiving, from a terminal, transaction data including voting data, and determining, by a processor, a block to include the transaction data from among multiple blocks. The method further includes generating, using the processor, the block including the transaction data, and connecting the block to a blockchain, the blockchain being stored in a memory.