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I was reminded while reading a @v4vapid [comment](https://hive.blog/insidertrading/@v4vapid/re-tarazkp-q86vw2#@v4vapid/re-tarazkp-q86vw2) about an article I wrote a few years ago on using [blockchain for voting](https://steempeak.com/blockchain/@tarazkp/blockchain-voting-why-isn-t-this-already-a-thing) and I wonder if this latest pandemic where social distancing has become the buzz phrase and working remotely the norm, is the catalyst to push it into reality. Of course, it doesn't actually have to be on a blockchain, as in most places, the technology already exists to ensure registration, as well as the ability to mask voter identities through various ways. 

![IMG_20200403_163256.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/npuJAck3-IMG_20200403_163256.jpg)

I know that in Finland at least, pretty much all verification can be performed through bank codes, and this would be a precise way of making sure that only votes once. Being able to do all of the voting for example through an app would mean that pretty much all of the country would be able to participate from home, and that in itself would be likely to boost voting numbers, which sit around 60-70% as it is non-compulsory.

While this isn't such a big thing in Finland as in general the access to voting is fine, especially since it can be done a week or two in advance from shopping centers, places like the US where voting access is "inconsistent" could benefit heavily. The question of course would be, why aren't they making voting access easier? It definitely isn't a cost thing, because shifting to digital voting on the internet would be a *massive* cost saving once up and running.  

Well the obvious answer is that the more inclusive voting becomes, the less control individual groups have over the outcomes, especially those already holding power in the system. We can see on Hive for example, where the distribution of stake has become more widespread throughout the community, meaning that individual groups are going to have their power diluted. We also saw that once activated, the entire community on Steem has more power combined than that of what Steemit Inc held, forcing a stalemate for a period of time, until the exit door opened. 

National elections are one person one vote and therefore it has to be able to be verified as such, without dead people voting or people being bused in across regions to skew votes. Having everyone vote from home means that it is much more precise and closes many avenues for raising questions of abuse. 

The new normal caused by company employees working from home is going to catalyze a lot of solutions to things like remote security as well as get people comfortable with something that we are already doing - distributed working. This unfortunate situation is going to be a driver for the evolution of the way we work and interact and a lot of that is going to start to resemble distributed networks and blockchain solutions. This will of drive for advances in these areas by people and organizations that weren't before, and they will then start to look at how they can use the technology to improve their business and generate income. 

I don't think it is going to be very long before all voting is done on Hive-similar blockchains, where there will be an identification process to get the keys, but the voting itself will be randomized and masked in order protect voters from persecution. Pretty much, all of this could be done through an Smart Media Token already - where there was a verified signup process to get an issuance.

I think that these days, the technical challenge of digital voting security is barely an issue and the push back would come from the institutions themselves, as the easier it is to vote, the more people who will vote - and that can be disastrous for control. But when it comes to other uses for blockchain and distributed networks, the current world events are likely to drive the development and speed up the uptake process, as people get more comfortable doing more from their home. 

This might be a boon for blockchain and crypto as people start to both get comfortable earning from home plus, lose even more faith in the centralized economies as they fail - which will push them into distributed digital revenue streams that offer ownership - like Hive. 

Sometimes the catalyst for change comes from unexpected sources - *and spreads like a virus.*  

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]

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