West Virginia is trialling the US’ first-ever use of Blockchain in federal election voting.
US voters can use Blockchain to cast mobile ballots for the first time this month after a new partnership trials the technology in the state of West Virginia.
According to a press release March 28, registered military voters can use a newly-developed Blockchain platform for mobile voting in the Primary Elections from March 23 until polling day May 8.
The platform is limited to voters in two counties and is a joint venture between the Office of the Secretary of State of West Virginia, technical provider Voatz, Tusk/Montgomery Philanthropies, New America and the Blockchain Trust Accelerator platform.
“This pilot project is the first of its kind in the United States. The mobile voting application uses blockchain technology to provide a secure voting process,” the release confirms.
“…To improve accessibility and enhance confidence in our electoral system, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner authorized his Elections Division staff to pursue a mobile voting pilot for the 2018 Primary Election.”
The US has until now made less headway in secure Blockchain voting than countries such as Estonia, with the partnership conspicuously drawing comparisons to jurisdictions ‘ahead of the game’ in securing ballot casting and other operations.
“Government institutions around the world, including Brazil, Estonia, Denmark, South Korea, and Switzerland are actively pursuing the integration of blockchain technology,” they note.
Eligible voters require only “a compatible Apple or Android mobile device and approved, validated State or Federal ID” to use the Blockchain service.
