The USA Postal Service, or USPS, not too long ago filed a patent for a mail-in voting system that makes use of Blockchain and different applied sci
The USA Postal Service, or USPS, not too long ago filed a patent for a mail-in voting system that makes use of Blockchain and different applied sciences for verification. Responding to an inquiry from Cointelegraph, U.S. Consultant for Florida’s ninth district, Darren Soto, voiced his pleasure about this potential improvement.
“I believe it’s a terrific thought,” Soto advised Cointelegraph. “I’m actual excited that the put up workplace is engaged on this problem,” he defined. “It’s one thing that was a nice shock for a lot of in congress,” the congressman added, noting the need of patent submitting consistent with governmental technological developments.
At present a hotly debated matter, mail-in voting may doubtlessly quell voter’s social distancing issues amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic.
Soto described the USPS’s blockchain patent as well timed, though he stated he didn’t know whether or not or not it should come into play in time for the 2020 presidential election. “Definitely I may see it being utilized very quickly, over the following couple of election cycles,” he stated.
The blockchain mail-in voting system would name on collaboration between the USPS and different governing entities who oversee election actions, Soto stated. He believes that the transition would start steadily, making use of the brand new system to places wherein digital voting is already lively, comparable to e mail voting by U.S. navy individuals positioned in different international locations.
“The USPS and their know-how can be sending out QR codes and storing digital IDs and votes on the blockchain,” Soto defined. “They’d even be capable to separate ID from votes, to protect anonymity.”
Soto additionally inferred that the system may permit voters to print out proof of their accomplished votes, primarily based on the tools used to solid their ballots — computer systems, and so on.
Soto sits as co-chairman for the Blockchain Caucus — a governmental group centered on blockchain-related coverage. The congressman had not but mentioned the patent with the group as of his Aug. 20 feedback to Cointelegraph, though he famous upcoming finances talks within the weeks forward. “As a result of we’re speaking concerning the underpinnings of our democracy, it’s one thing that might be a gradual and regular rollout,” he added.