In an age where everything (else) of importance has been digitized, online voting may be next thanks to USPS.
By Abu Khalil
Seemingly everyone has been grumbling for years that the process of voting should as easy as filing taxes, banking, and communicating.
It is now official that the USPS filed for a patent last February for a “Secure Voting System” which utilizes blockchain technology. The technology was introduced by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and uses a multi-layered process to corroborate data.
“A voting system can use the security of blockchain and the mail to provide a reliable voting system,” states patent application. “A registered voter receives a computer readable code in the mail and confirms identity and confirms correct ballot information in an election. The system separates voter identification and votes to ensure vote anonymity, and stores votes on a distributed ledger in a blockchain.”
“Voters generally wish to be able to vote for elected officials or on other issues in a manner that is convenient and secure,” the application states. “Further, those holding elections wish to be able to ensure that election results have not been tampered with and that the results actually correspond to the votes that were cast. In some embodiments, a blockchain allows the tracking of the various types of necessary data in a way that is secure and allows others to easily confirm that data has not been altered.”
The patent itself was filed well before the coronavirus pandemic, widespread social unrest, and Trump’s attempted hamstringing of USPS for political gains.
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