Blockchain, the revolutionary open access electronic ledger, is best known for its implementation in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Bitcoin is very fascinating, but it is not the only way to make use of the blockchain. A potentially far-reaching application of the blockchain is E-Voting over the Internet: With the blockchain at the heart of an E-Voting solution, secure and reliable E-Voting might finally become feasible.

1. Blockchain for the people: Implementing
blockchain technology for a secure and
reliable E-Voting solution
Marko Kovic1
May 25, 2016
ZIPAR
Zurich Institute of Public Affairs Research
1
ZIPAR / marko.kovic@zipar.org

2. ZIPAROutline
What I’m about to talk about

3. ZIPAROutline
What I’m about to talk about
Why E-Voting matters.

4. ZIPAROutline
What I’m about to talk about
Why E-Voting matters.
Problems with E-Voting.

5. ZIPAROutline
What I’m about to talk about
Why E-Voting matters.
Problems with E-Voting.
Blockchain to the rescue!

6. ZIPAROutline
What I’m about to talk about
Why E-Voting matters.
Problems with E-Voting.
Blockchain to the rescue!
How would a blockchain-powered solution work?

7. ZIPAROutline
What I’m about to talk about
Why E-Voting matters.
Problems with E-Voting.
Blockchain to the rescue!
How would a blockchain-powered solution work?
The steps forward.

8. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Because voting matters!

9. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Because voting matters!
Voting is a necessary condition for democracy.

10. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Because voting matters!
Voting is a necessary condition for democracy.
The people’s sovereignty cannot be expressed without free and
fair elections!

11. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Because voting matters!
Voting is a necessary condition for democracy.
The people’s sovereignty cannot be expressed without free and
fair elections!
In Switzerland, we also care about people being able to directly
express their preferences on legislative issues.

12. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Because voting matters!
Voting is a necessary condition for democracy.
The people’s sovereignty cannot be expressed without free and
fair elections!
In Switzerland, we also care about people being able to directly
express their preferences on legislative issues.
Representative democracy as well as direct democratic procedures
depend on a free and fair voting process!

13. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Conducting voting ist very difficult
Enabling people to vote is easy in theory, but difficult in practice.

14. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Conducting voting ist very difficult
Enabling people to vote is easy in theory, but difficult in practice.
Even in the simplest of cases, it’s a logistical challenge!

15. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Conducting voting ist very difficult
Enabling people to vote is easy in theory, but difficult in practice.
Even in the simplest of cases, it’s a logistical challenge!

16. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Conducting voting ist very difficult
Enabling people to vote is easy in theory, but difficult in practice.
Even in the simplest of cases, it’s a logistical challenge!
Figure: A «Landsgemeinde» in Glarus. Old school!

17. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
Conducting voting ist very difficult
Enabling people to vote is easy in theory, but difficult in practice.
Even in the simplest of cases, it’s a logistical challenge!
Figure: A «Landsgemeinde» in Glarus. Old school!

18. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs

19. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
Because voting is logistically difficult, governments have been trying
to implement "E-Voting" for decades.

20. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
Because voting is logistically difficult, governments have been trying
to implement "E-Voting" for decades.
However, "E-Voting" is a fuzzy notion!

21. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
Because voting is logistically difficult, governments have been trying
to implement "E-Voting" for decades.
However, "E-Voting" is a fuzzy notion!
Sometimes, people refer to electronic voting machines as
E-Voting.

22. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
Because voting is logistically difficult, governments have been trying
to implement "E-Voting" for decades.
However, "E-Voting" is a fuzzy notion!
Sometimes, people refer to electronic voting machines as
E-Voting.
I am talking about place-independent, individualized voting over
the Internet.

23. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!

24. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!
Normatively, citizens would receive an additional channel to
participate.

25. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!
Normatively, citizens would receive an additional channel to
participate.
Practically, there are at least two benefits:

26. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!
Normatively, citizens would receive an additional channel to
participate.
Practically, there are at least two benefits:
Mobilization: Younger people tend to use the Internet more.

27. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!
Normatively, citizens would receive an additional channel to
participate.
Practically, there are at least two benefits:
Mobilization: Younger people tend to use the Internet more.
Ease of use: E-Voting could mean that voters have to invest
fewer resources, increasing the probability for participation.

28. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!
Normatively, citizens would receive an additional channel to
participate.
Practically, there are at least two benefits:
Mobilization: Younger people tend to use the Internet more.
Ease of use: E-Voting could mean that voters have to invest
fewer resources, increasing the probability for participation.
That sounds great! What’s the downside?

29. ZIPARWhy E-Voting matters
E-Voting as a reduction of transaction costs
E-Voting could have a tremendous positive impact!
Normatively, citizens would receive an additional channel to
participate.
Practically, there are at least two benefits:
Mobilization: Younger people tend to use the Internet more.
Ease of use: E-Voting could mean that voters have to invest
fewer resources, increasing the probability for participation.
That sounds great! What’s the downside?
Security.

30. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...

31. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!

32. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.

33. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.
For example: Your voting letter in Switzerland can be
intercepted, physically.

34. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.
For example: Your voting letter in Switzerland can be
intercepted, physically.
However, large-scale voting fraud is rare in democracies.

35. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.
For example: Your voting letter in Switzerland can be
intercepted, physically.
However, large-scale voting fraud is rare in democracies.
There’s a poor return on investment.

36. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.
For example: Your voting letter in Switzerland can be
intercepted, physically.
However, large-scale voting fraud is rare in democracies.
There’s a poor return on investment.
The potential security risk with E-Voting is huge.

37. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.
For example: Your voting letter in Switzerland can be
intercepted, physically.
However, large-scale voting fraud is rare in democracies.
There’s a poor return on investment.
The potential security risk with E-Voting is huge.
You don’t intercept singular votes, but all of them!

38. ZIPARProblems with E-Voting
Security, security, security...
Traditional voting methods are not tamper-proof!
The base-rate probability for voting fraud is greater than 0.
For example: Your voting letter in Switzerland can be
intercepted, physically.
However, large-scale voting fraud is rare in democracies.
There’s a poor return on investment.
The potential security risk with E-Voting is huge.
You don’t intercept singular votes, but all of them!
That concern is why the Consortium Vote électronique failed.

39. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system

40. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
You have probably heard of the «cryptocurrency» Bitcoin.

41. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
You have probably heard of the «cryptocurrency» Bitcoin.
Figure: I can pay for a latte with Bitcoin? It’s getting real!

42. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!

43. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.

44. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?

45. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.

46. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.
Everybody has a copy of the ledger.

47. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.
Everybody has a copy of the ledger.
Transactions are broadcast between users.

48. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.
Everybody has a copy of the ledger.
Transactions are broadcast between users.
The transactions are verified by all other users.

49. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.
Everybody has a copy of the ledger.
Transactions are broadcast between users.
The transactions are verified by all other users.
It’s 100% open source!

50. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.
Everybody has a copy of the ledger.
Transactions are broadcast between users.
The transactions are verified by all other users.
It’s 100% open source!
There’s (basically) no way to cheat!

51. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Bitcoin is interesting in its own right. But what’s going on under the
hood is what really matters!
Enter the blockchain.
What the hell is a blockchain?
In layman’s terms (I’m a layman!), the blockchain is a distributed
ledger.
Everybody has a copy of the ledger.
Transactions are broadcast between users.
The transactions are verified by all other users.
It’s 100% open source!
There’s (basically) no way to cheat!
Unless you operate a majority of the network.

52. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Several industries are looking into blockchain applications beyond
Bitcoin, not least banks.

53. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Several industries are looking into blockchain applications beyond
Bitcoin, not least banks.
But how could the blockchain be useful to E-Voting?

54. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Several industries are looking into blockchain applications beyond
Bitcoin, not least banks.
But how could the blockchain be useful to E-Voting?
It’s obvious: Voting could be implemented as a transaction via
the blockchain ledger.

55. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Several industries are looking into blockchain applications beyond
Bitcoin, not least banks.
But how could the blockchain be useful to E-Voting?
It’s obvious: Voting could be implemented as a transaction via
the blockchain ledger.
If implemented well, this could be as secure as it goes.

56. ZIPARBlockchain to the rescue!
A distributed E-Voting system
Several industries are looking into blockchain applications beyond
Bitcoin, not least banks.
But how could the blockchain be useful to E-Voting?
It’s obvious: Voting could be implemented as a transaction via
the blockchain ledger.
If implemented well, this could be as secure as it goes.
Everything is open source: Unlike all other existing E-Voting
applications, this one would be truly transparent and thus truly
democratic!

57. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:

58. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:
Technical challenges.

59. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:
Technical challenges.
Social challenges.

60. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:
Technical challenges.
Social challenges.
The social challenges are more challenging!

61. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:
Technical challenges.
Social challenges.
The social challenges are more challenging!
The technical challenges are, essentially, manageable:

62. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:
Technical challenges.
Social challenges.
The social challenges are more challenging!
The technical challenges are, essentially, manageable:
Anonymization of transactions (votes).

63. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
There’s two kinds of challenges:
Technical challenges.
Social challenges.
The social challenges are more challenging!
The technical challenges are, essentially, manageable:
Anonymization of transactions (votes).
Setting up and maintaining a network.

64. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:

65. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:
Trust

66. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:
Trust
In order to make this happen, we need to gain the trust of the
relevant stakeholders:

67. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:
Trust
In order to make this happen, we need to gain the trust of the
relevant stakeholders:
Governments (local, regional, national).

68. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:
Trust
In order to make this happen, we need to gain the trust of the
relevant stakeholders:
Governments (local, regional, national).
Legislators.

69. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:
Trust
In order to make this happen, we need to gain the trust of the
relevant stakeholders:
Governments (local, regional, national).
Legislators.
Foundations.

70. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
The social challenges for a blockchain-powered E-Voting solution:
Trust
In order to make this happen, we need to gain the trust of the
relevant stakeholders:
Governments (local, regional, national).
Legislators.
Foundations.
The public.

71. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:

72. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.

73. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.
Involving multiple stakeholders.

74. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.
Involving multiple stakeholders.
If the government is in charge, it’s all for naught!

75. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.
Involving multiple stakeholders.
If the government is in charge, it’s all for naught!
Funding:

76. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.
Involving multiple stakeholders.
If the government is in charge, it’s all for naught!
Funding:
Government(s).

77. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.
Involving multiple stakeholders.
If the government is in charge, it’s all for naught!
Funding:
Government(s).
Foundations and individual donors.

78. ZIPARHow would a blockchain-powered solution work?
Easier said than done – but it’s still doable!
A general outline of blockchain-powered E-Voting:
100% non-commercial.
Involving multiple stakeholders.
If the government is in charge, it’s all for naught!
Funding:
Government(s).
Foundations and individual donors.
Possibly: Corporate sponsorship.

79. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!

80. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.

81. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.

82. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.

83. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.
Phase 4: Project evaluation.

84. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.
Phase 4: Project evaluation.
Phase 5: Unpredictable.

85. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.
Phase 4: Project evaluation.
Phase 5: Unpredictable.
We will focus on phases 1 and 2.

86. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.
Phase 4: Project evaluation.
Phase 5: Unpredictable.
We will focus on phases 1 and 2.
Phase 2 includes a concept for the proof-of-concept!

87. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.
Phase 4: Project evaluation.
Phase 5: Unpredictable.
We will focus on phases 1 and 2.
Phase 2 includes a concept for the proof-of-concept!
Phase 3 assumes success at phase 2.

88. ZIPARThe steps forward
Win hearts and minds, and then get funded
How do we proceed from here? An idea without a plan is but a
dream!
Phase 1: Create a discussion paper aimed at policy makers
(governemnt(s), legislators) and promote the idea publicly as
well.
Phase 2: Secure funding for a proof-of-concept.
Phase 3: Project management phase.
Phase 4: Project evaluation.
Phase 5: Unpredictable.
We will focus on phases 1 and 2.
Phase 2 includes a concept for the proof-of-concept!
Phase 3 assumes success at phase 2.
Phases 3 and 4 are speculative; everything beyond phase 4 is
wishful thinking.

89. ZIPARThank you
Thanks for your attention!