Imagine an online system where it is possible to vote using a computer, tablet, mobile phone or a multimedia totem without the need for voters to physically access the polling station, yet offering the same or better guarantees compared to a public election
online voting systems offer flexibility to cater to various types of organizations. Below are examples of groups utilizing online voting systems for their voting and election processes:
Membership organizations - From niche communities to expansive professional bodies, effective mechanisms for member involvement in critical decisions are essential. This includes elections for board of directors and officers. Partnerships - Law firms and collaborative businesses regularly conduct elections to determine leadership roles. This includes partner elections within legal and accounting firms. Corporations - Enterprises of all sizes rely on various voting processes to gather input from employees, boards, and shareholders. Examples include employee feedback surveys and shareholder voting. Unions - Regular changes in union leadership and documentation require structured voting procedures. This includes elections for union officers and contract ratifications. Educational institutions - From higher education to K-12 schools, voting procedures for faculty, students, and alumni groups are crucial. Examples include Student Government Association (SGA) elections, faculty elections, and alumni elections. Churches - Churches conduct elections for leadership positions similar to other organizations. This includes church leadership elections. Clubs - Despite their smaller size and budgets, local and interest-based clubs benefit from organized and secure voting systems. Examples include voting on new member admissions and budget approvals. Homeowner associations (HOAs) - HOAs handle tasks such as electing board members and approving budgets. This includes elections for board of directors and community budget approvals.
Voting is a fundamental element of any collaboration between individuals, with methods ranging from a show of hands and the use of a ballot box, to online voting and liquid democracy platforms. However, online voting and e-democracy platforms are subject to certain problems that undermine the definitive nature and certainty of the process:
Who controls the online platform?
How can I be certain that the votes are counted correctly?
Who ensures the system availability for the duration of the election?
How can votes be verified, even after the voting is finished?
In the context of public elections, these critical aspects are managed at a significant cost: just consider the various figures involved in the control and in the calculation of votes (counting managers, polling station managers, law enforcement personnel) and the characteristics of the equipment used (voting cards, stamps, special pencils).
Ballotchain is a solution dedicated to making every online voting initiative as secure and verifiable as a public election.