Utah county to implement blockchain in municipal mobile voting

A pilot program in Utah County involving mobile voting via blockchain is underway. It is intended to test the method for allowing certain voters to participate in the election if they find it inconvenient to physically attend. These include active-duty soldiers and citizens currently overseas.

The project is being launched in cooperation with Tusk Philanthropies, the mobile voting app Voatz, the National Cybersecurity Center, and the Utah County Elections Division, the press release notes. Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox expressed his excitement over the prospect of mobile voting via blockchain.

"I am thrilled that Utah County is partnering with Tusk Philanthropies, Voatz and the National Cybersecurity Center to bring these secure, blockchain-based voting options to Utahns overseas for the upcoming municipal election," Cox said.

"This pilot project is emblematic of Utah's commitment to safe, efficient elections for all — especially our brave military and their families all over the world. The opportunity for these Utahns to vote via smartphone means they will more securely participate in the democratic processes they are serving to protect."

The founder and CEO of Tusk Philanthropies, Bradley Tusk pointed out in the press release that mobile voting is gathering strength in the US. He also expressed hope that it could soon be applied to presidential elections, as well.

"Utah's pilot is another sign that the momentum for mobile voting in our country is very real and supports our theory that when you show people a much better way to do something, there becomes a demand for it," Tusk said. "As we enter into a Presidential election year, we have to continue to remove as many barriers and hurdles as possible so a lot more people are able to participate in our democracy."

Tusk Philanthropies has actually done the same thing in two other states, CoinDesk reports. Denver and West Virginia already saw what mobile voting can offer in terms of removing barriers for voting and increasing turnout.