Online elections: options for securing

Some time ago, I wrote a scientific paper on securing online elections. It dealt with the central question: How can digital elections be designed in such a way that they are secure, traceable, and legally sound?

Summary Link to heading

In my work, I examined various technical approaches that can be used to secure online elections. The focus was on three concepts:

• Blockchain technology
• Cryptographic signatures
• Homomorphic encryption

These technologies were analyzed in terms of their practical feasibility, technical limitations, and compatibility with the principles of electoral law. To this end, I evaluated various scientific publications to highlight the respective strengths, weaknesses, and areas of application.

The result: Each technology has its own advantages, but none can meet all requirements on its own. The future of secure online elections probably lies in a combination of different methods that combine their respective strengths.

Abstract Link to heading

This paper examines various options for securing online voting. Specifically: technologies/concepts based on blockchain, cryptographic signatures, and homomorphic encryption. The individual technologies/concepts are examined primarily in terms of feasibility, (possible) technical limitations, and compatibility with electoral principles. Various publications were consulted to shed light on the characteristics of the individual technologies and ultimately compare them. After thoroughly weighing all factors, it becomes clear that each technology has individual characteristics that speak in its favor and that no single technology can meet all requirements on its own, but that the solution probably lies in a combination of different methods.

The paper (german) Link to heading

If you would like to delve deeper into the topic, you can find my complete paper here: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16115.80167