The Transparent and Secure Ballot Integrity Act

Introduction

In response to ongoing concerns regarding election integrity, particularly around mail-in ballots, this policy aims to establish a transparent, secure, and verifiable voting process for future elections. By implementing advanced tracking systems and ensuring public access to non-personally identifiable election data, this policy seeks to restore and maintain public trust in the democratic process while safeguarding voter confidentiality.


Policy Objectives

  1. Develop a robust tracking and data management system for all ballots using Write Once Read Many (W.O.R.M.) drives.
  2. Ensure full transparency of ballot-related data to the public while protecting personal identifiable information (PII).
  3. Establish protocols for error correction and data integrity to maintain public confidence in election outcomes.

Key Provisions

1. Central Ballot Tracking Database

  • Creation:

    • A central database will be implemented using W.O.R.M. drives to ensure all data is immutable.
    • This database will track the creation, distribution, and collection of every ballot (mail-in, in-person, or other methods).
  • Data Tracked:

    • Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) for each ballot.
    • Creation metadata:
      • Date and time of creation.
      • GUID of the creator and authorizer of the ballot.
      • Location of ballot generation.
    • Distribution metadata (for mail-in ballots):
      • Date and time of sending.
      • Method of sending.
      • GUIDs of individuals handling and authorizing the process.
      • Destination details that do not compromise voter confidentiality.
    • Collection metadata:
      • Date and time of return.
      • Method of return.
      • GUIDs of individuals acknowledging receipt and verifying ballot integrity.
    • Verification metadata:
      • GUID of verifier and time of database entry.

2. Public Access to Ballot Data

  • Transparency:

    • All non-PII data from the central W.O.R.M. database will be made publicly accessible through a secure online platform.
    • Data will be presented in a clear format, including any corrections made, denoted with an asterisk (*) and accompanied by the original record for reference.
  • PII Safeguards:

    • A separate private W.O.R.M. database will store any necessary PII for investigation purposes, accessible only to authorized personnel during voter fraud investigations.
    • Publicly accessible data will be anonymized to prevent the identification of voters, employees, or other individuals.

3. Error Correction Protocols

  • Error Handling:

    • No data on the W.O.R.M. drives may be overwritten to prevent evidence deletion or tampering.
    • Errors will be logged as new entries, with clear documentation of corrections made.
  • Public Display:

    • The public-facing platform will highlight corrected records with an asterisk (*) and provide access to the original and corrected data.
    • Corrections will be accompanied by explanatory notes.

Implementation Plan

1. Development Timeline

  • Phase 1 (Year 1):

    • Design and procurement of W.O.R.M. drive systems and software infrastructure.
    • Development of public and private database platforms.
  • Phase 2 (Year 2):

    • Pilot implementation in select states for local and midterm elections.
    • Training of election officials on database use and error correction protocols.
  • Phase 3 (Year 3):

    • Nationwide rollout in preparation for general elections.
    • Public education campaigns to inform voters about the system and its benefits.

Expected Outcomes

  1. Enhanced Election Security: Immutable W.O.R.M. drives ensure the integrity of all ballot data.
  2. Increased Public Trust: Transparent data access reassures voters of the election process’s fairness and accuracy.
  3. Effective Fraud Investigation: Centralized and comprehensive data systems expedite investigations while maintaining voter privacy.

Oversight and Accountability

  • A new federal division within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), called the Election Data Transparency and Integrity Office (EDTIO), will oversee the implementation and operation of the database.
  • Annual audits of the system will be conducted by an independent body, with results published publicly.
  • A citizen feedback mechanism will allow voters to raise concerns or questions about specific data entries.

Conclusion

The Transparent and Secure Ballot Integrity Act provides a forward-thinking, technology-driven solution to address voter fraud concerns. By leveraging immutable data storage and maintaining transparency while safeguarding confidentiality, this policy strikes a balance between public accountability and individual privacy, ensuring trust in the electoral process for years to come.