Blockchain Technology May Be Used to Prevent Election Fraud in Utah
America is slowly moving towards country-wide crypto adoption, and the future may see blockchain technology, which cryptocurrency relies upon, used as a method of preventing electoral fraud. This news comes after New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel introduced a bill to address how blockchain technology could be utilized in the election process to improve election transparency.
Since Utah is also a forward-thinking force when it comes to emerging tech, it is likely the state will follow suit, bringing this vision into reality.
Growing Support for Crypto and the Blockchain
The current president of the United States has contributed greatly towards the country-wide acceptance and utilization of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. So much so, that, at the time of writing, almost 30% of Americans own digital assets.
Cryptocurrency can be used for a variety of different things. For example, Bitcoin, the first and most famous form of cryptocurrency, is often used by online gamblers on provably fair sites where they can play casino games with the knowledge that their experience is run by trustworthy providers. Others have begun to adopt cryptocurrencies as a regular method of payment, both online and within some brick-and-mortar casinos. Even more are interested in the volatility of specific currencies and invest in the hopes of making good returns.
The blockchain is a decentralized, digital ledger within which cryptocurrency transactions are made. Due to it being a shared network, which all people can view but not alter, it promotes transparency. As such, it is easy to see how such tech could be used in important areas of government, like voting.
The Desire for Uncensored Truth
Speaking on his reasoning for proposing this bill, Vanel said that he believes blockchain technology can help deliver what he calls “uncensored truth” in various democratic processes. Of course, if the bill is approved, New York will be the first state to trial it, but other states, including Utah, could see similar initiatives emerging on home soil.
To be approved, the bill needs to pass a committee review and several other legislative stages. This has been a challenge for Vanel, who has been attempting to pass election-focused blockchain legislation since 2017. However, this time round, with this fifth iteration of the bill, both the government and the people of America are much more accepting of cryptocurrencies and the technology that accompanies them, giving Vanel an advantage he has not yet known.
In fact, there have even been other blockchain-focused initiatives gaining traction in the state of New York. This work is also incredibly well-regulated, as New York itself is responsible for the introduction of BitLicense, which crafts regulatory frameworks for crypto companies. Additionally, in 2023, the New York State Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Study Taskforce was introduced to investigate the economic and environmental impacts of digital assets.
A Future of Digital Assets
Vanel’s bill is emerging at a time of great growth and change in the cryptocurrency realm. In March, President Donald Trump passed an executive order advocating for the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve that, he believes, could be utilized for the good of the country.
After this, Utah and Arizona began drafting legislation in support of public investment in Bitcoin, and a further 13 states quickly followed in their footsteps. This growing acceptance of the benefits of digital assets and blockchain technology is good news for Vanel’s bill, but it won’t be smooth sailing. Utah has since removed the Bitcoin provision from its proposed bill, highlighting the fact that there is still a lot of hesitation and uncertainty about the future of a crypto-fueled society.
That being said, many people see crypto and blockchain technology well on their way to becoming everyday lexicon and understood just as well as traditional forms of legal tender. Time will soon tell if Vanel’s bill has come at just the right time to nudge people towards blockchain acceptance, or whether society isn’t quite ready for such a change.