Mobile election systems have been gaining traction in recent years, with the promise of making the voting process more accessible and convenient for voters. However, concerns over the security of these systems have been raised by experts in the field. In 2020, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) published a report that criticized the mobile voting company Voatz for not meeting basic security standards.

The report by MIT highlighted several vulnerabilities in Voatz's system, including the use of a third-party vendor for cloud storage, which could allow unauthorized access to voter data. In addition, the report found that Voatz had not implemented sufficient security measures, such as two-factor authentication, to protect against hacking attempts. As a result of the report, some states have banned the use of Voatz's system in elections.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a federal agency that develops standards for technology, has also expressed concerns over the security of mobile voting systems. In 2020, NIST published a report that outlined the risks associated with mobile voting, including the potential for vote manipulation, hacking, and denial-of-service attacks.

The loss of trust in the election system industry has also been a major concern. The 2020 U.S. Presidential election was marred by claims of voter fraud and irregularities, which led to a widespread loss of trust in the election process. Mobile voting systems have been seen by some as a way to address these issues, but the security concerns have added to the distrust.

There have also been recent events related to mobile voting, such as the pilot program conducted by West Virginia in the 2018 midterms. The program allowed overseas military personnel to vote using a mobile app, and it was generally viewed as a success. However, the program was not without its issues, as some voters reported difficulty using the app and concerns were raised over the security of the system.

The US Postal Service has also recently been granted a patent (US20200258338A1) for a mobile voting system that uses blockchain technology to secure the voting process. The system would allow voters to receive a ballot on their mobile device, which they could then verify and submit using blockchain technology.

One of the biggest challenges facing regulators is how to balance the need for accessibility and convenience with the need for security and trust in the election process. Possible solutions include implementing stronger security measures, such as biometric authentication and end-to-end encryption, and conducting thorough audits and testing of the systems.

In addition to the promise of convenience, mobile election systems also offer increased accessibility for voters, particularly for Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. These voters include military personnel stationed overseas and their families, as well as other Americans living abroad.

Blockchain

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the election system industry by providing a secure and transparent system for vote counting and verification. Blockchain is a decentralized ledger that can store data in a tamper-proof and transparent manner. Each transaction is verified and recorded across a network of computers, making it extremely difficult to alter or manipulate.

In the context of mobile election systems, blockchain can provide a secure and transparent method of vote counting and verification. Each vote would be recorded on the blockchain and verified by a network of computers. This would make it nearly impossible to manipulate or alter the results, ensuring the integrity of the election process.

Moreover, blockchain can provide greater transparency and auditability in the election process. By recording every transaction on the blockchain, voters and election officials can track the progress of the election in real-time. Any attempts at manipulation or fraud would be immediately visible and traceable, allowing for rapid response and resolution.

Blockchain technology can also help address some of the security concerns associated with mobile voting systems. By storing votes on a decentralized ledger, it is more difficult for hackers to gain unauthorized access and manipulate the results. Moreover, the use of multi-factor authentication and encryption can further enhance the security of the system.

Hyperledger Sawtooth vs Fabric

Hyperledger Sawtooth and Fabric are two of the most popular blockchain frameworks currently in use. While both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, they can both be applied to election systems to improve the security and transparency of the voting process.

Hyperledger Sawtooth is a highly modular and scalable blockchain framework that is designed to support a wide range of use cases, including voting systems. Sawtooth is highly flexible and can be customized to meet the specific needs of different election systems. For example, Sawtooth can be used to create a blockchain-based voting system that is highly secure and transparent, while also providing flexibility and ease of use for both voters and election officials.

Hyperledger Fabric, on the other hand, is a highly customizable and scalable blockchain framework that is designed to support enterprise-level use cases. Fabric is highly secure and can provide end-to-end encryption and authentication to ensure the integrity of the election process. Fabric can also be customized to support a wide range of voting systems, including both online and offline voting systems.

Both Sawtooth and Fabric offer several advantages for the election system industry. By providing a secure and transparent method of vote counting and verification, blockchain can help to improve the accuracy and fairness of the election process. Moreover, blockchain can provide greater transparency and auditability in the election process, allowing voters and election officials to track the progress of the election in real-time.

While the adoption of blockchain in the election system industry is still in its early stages, both Sawtooth and Fabric offer exciting opportunities to revolutionize the way we think about elections and ensure the integrity of the election process. By providing a secure, transparent, and decentralized method of vote counting and verification, blockchain can help to restore trust in the election system industry and ensure that every vote counts.

UOCAVA Voters

UOCAVA voters face significant challenges in casting their ballots, including long transit times, difficulty accessing polling places, and navigating the often-complex absentee voting process. Mobile voting systems could provide a solution to these challenges, allowing UOCAVA voters to cast their ballots from anywhere in the world using their mobile devices.

However, the security concerns surrounding mobile voting systems have also raised questions about the accessibility of these systems. If a system is compromised, UOCAVA voters could be at greater risk of having their votes altered or deleted, which could have a significant impact on the election outcome.

As such, any mobile voting system implemented for UOCAVA voters must prioritize security and ensure that every vote is counted and verified. Strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, and blockchain technology are just a few of the possible solutions to ensure the security and accessibility of mobile voting systems for UOCAVA voters. Mobile election systems offer increased accessibility and convenience for voters, particularly for UOCAVA voters. However, the security concerns must be addressed to ensure the integrity of the election process. Regulators must strike a balance between accessibility and security to ensure that every vote is counted and verified, regardless of the voter's location.

Investors

Bradley Tusk, a venture capitalist and political strategist, has been advocating for increased investment in mobile voting technology. He believes that mobile voting systems can improve voter turnout and engagement, particularly among younger and tech-savvy voters. However, Tusk acknowledges the security concerns surrounding these systems and emphasizes the need for rigorous testing and auditing to ensure their integrity.

Tusk's advocacy highlights the need for more investors to focus on mobile security in the election industry. While many investors have focused on developing mobile voting systems, few have dedicated the necessary resources to ensuring their security. A greater focus on mobile security could help address the concerns surrounding mobile voting and improve the integrity of the election process.

Politicians

Another important consideration is the need for a non-partisan approach to election systems. Elections are a fundamental part of democracy, and their integrity should not be subject to partisan politics. Any mobile voting system must be designed to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the election process, regardless of the political affiliations of the candidates or voters.

Senator Alex Padilla, the former Secretary of State of California and current United States Senator, has been a vocal advocate for election system integrity. He has called for increased funding for election security and the adoption of best practices, including regular audits and risk assessments, to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the election process.

Padilla's views highlight the importance of government support for the election industry, particularly in the area of security. With government support, the industry can develop and implement secure mobile voting systems that increase accessibility and convenience without compromising the integrity of the election process.

As technology continues to evolve, the security and integrity of the election process have become increasingly important. American politicians have a responsibility to ensure that their election systems are secure and free from manipulation or fraud.

To accomplish this, politicians should focus more effort on securing their vote by investing in the latest security technologies, such as blockchain, and engaging with experts in the field to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop effective security measures.

Moreover, American politicians should work together in a non-partisan manner to develop and implement security measures for their election systems. By working across party lines, politicians can ensure that election security remains a top priority and that the integrity of the election process is maintained

In addition, politicians should also consider the unique needs of UOCAVA voters and other voters who may face accessibility challenges. By ensuring that election systems are accessible and easy to use, politicians can ensure that every voter has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

In conclusion, while mobile voting systems hold promise for making the voting process more accessible and convenient, the security concerns and loss of trust in the election industry have made it difficult for these systems to gain widespread acceptance. Regulators must work to address these concerns and implement stronger security measures to ensure the integrity of the election process. The security and integrity of the election process are essential to the functioning of democracy. By focusing more effort on securing their vote and working together in a non-partisan manner, American politicians can ensure that the election process remains secure, transparent, and fair for all voters.