Vote for change
With a 20 minute bus ride ahead, I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about the upcoming election on Finland. Firstly, I don't really care who wins and I only know a couple of the candidates, not that it matters though because I am not allowed to vote.
I do wonder one thing though: why isn't it possible to vote electronically and more specifically, on a Blockchain?
This isn't the US where people are restricted from voting due to access and timing, there is plenty of opportunity to vote here. This means that the addition of technical access isn't taking away from other access. If in Finland it is good enough for the tax office to only require banking login for verification, it seems that voting on an immutable, unhackable and verifiable Blockchain would be a no-brainer decision and an option for anyone who chose to use it.
Just to make sure, the vote could be cast via an app with a one off token that sends a verification message to a phone, email or even to the bank account that the tax office requires. The anonymity could be solved with various randomised layers.
While some older people might struggle, it doesn't have to be compulsory and for the next decade they could have a changeover process while people learn how to use it. By then, pretty much everyone at least in Finland would be comfortable with the technology required. They wouldn't even need to know that a Blockchain was involved at all, just that it was safe and verifiable.
To me, it seems that the lack of technological options keep the numbers down when it comes to voting here as let's face it, people are lazy even though there is so much opportunity. Voting isn't compulsory in Finland like it is in Australia and the turnout is usually about 60%ish.
In the US I believe that the lack of access for some and the voting on a Tuesday when not everyone can afford to stand in a line for hours (which happens in select areas) is very much intentional. What would happen if everyone who could vote, voted? I am pretty sure results would change somewhat.
Voting is obviously the most obvious use case for a Blockchain and the traceability of it brings new levels of security and it sure as hell beats counting ballot papers. Perhaps that is why they don't use it, harder to fake numbers.
It would be a hell of a lot cheaper too. Another reason they don't do it?
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
(posted from phone on a bus passing many signs with numbers and faces on them)
You are quite right in saying it is an option, but you are years ahead of the rest in how you think. It seems we all are ahead of the curve ,even me. Maybe in the next two or three years this will be raised as an option and it should help the numbers voting I believe.
I think that in Estonia they have digital voting to some extent already, but not blockchain. the countries that will adopt the fastest will be the ones that can normalize it for national cases.
The key word is here is "obvious".
"Voting is obviously the most obvious use case for a Blockchain and the traceability of it brings new levels of security and it sure as hell beats counting ballot papers. Perhaps that is why they don't use it, harder to fake numbers".
Obvious = truth
Yep, I think with many countries, there is a lot of pushback to keep the real voting numbers dark.
I think politicians prefer it to be similar to their actions and intentions which lack transparency. An obvious solution but too decentralized for the centralized establishments.
Posted using Partiko iOS
I think there will be some countries that will do it just to be among the first and save costs, the large ones that profit from opaque systems will not be among the first.
I hate elections and with a very good reason. Ours are blood baths most of the time and my heart just won't stand the sight of countrymen killing each other over cheap tribal politics. It's also the most tiring process because people have to line up for more than eight hours regardless of the weather and the possibility of brutal attacks ruining the whole process!
Don't even get me started on the fact that the entire thing is manual plus how rigging is rampant. Technology might save our children's lives one day but with the current looting of public funds, they might miss it too :(
You have attacks in the voting places? Oh gosh...
Imagine. We say voting season is the worst of seasons:(
It is crazy to think that you vote here from the safety of your home every day but it can't happen at a national level. Of course, there is much more to it than that but I do hope that at least your kids will have a better chance at life without so much violence.
I am praying for that too as our generation knows no peaceful voting :(
Whhhhahahahaha
It’s been 40 years since we only voted on a tuesday. Mail in ballets allow a month of opportunity to vote for individual.
Voting fraud is big business. That is the only reason not to have a secure database. The voter rolls are inaccurate and a group doesn’t want that to change. POWER
I cant remember the last time I was on a bus
Here they can vote at shopping centres for the weeks before, no mail required, just ID. Most Still vote on the Sunday though.
Yep. many alt accounts :D
They are not bad here, trains are better :)
We are also talking about a larger population and area. Also you have better control over identification ID’s. Some states give drivers license and state Id’s to anyone. Who asked for one making them useless.
The polling place are opened for a couple days, and some places anyone can turn ballets in for you. That was the problem problem in Dade County Fl.. they had 10 times the population in mail in ballets. They were hiding ballets everywhere hahaha.
Alt accounts. There everywhere. 😂
I still haven't looked into the election candidates. Maybe I should just vote Steem.
If you can vote, why not vote? Vote Pirate ;)
That might be a good idea.
blockchain seems to be future of all technologies
It will intertwine and complement many I think.
yes. lets witness this evolving technology