Category: Technology

Voatz @ AfricaTech Fest’24

Posted on by itops

Voatz is showcased at the US DTA Pavilion during the 2024 Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town.

Cape Town, South Africa – Voatz was honored to be part of the U.S. Commercial Service pavilion at the Africa Tech Festival 2024, taking place from November 12-14 in Cape Town. This event is a key part of the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) initiative, aimed at fostering digital partnerships between the U.S. and African nations. The U.S. pavilion, opened by prominent U.S. government officials, showcases ten leading American tech companies, including us, to support digital innovation in Africa through connectivity, cybersecurity, and mobile solutions.

Our participation highlights our commitment to utilizing the power of digital transformation to facilitate secure, accessible elections. Our award-winning elections platform was introduced as part of the broader DTA effort to bring U.S. technology to African markets. Such initiatives allow us to engage with local stakeholders, share our experiences in building modern election technology, and explore how our solutions can adapt to the unique challenges faced by African nations. By supporting inclusive, secure, and verifiable election processes, we aim to empower communities and strengthen democratic participation.

Our cutting-edge voting system leverages biometrics and blockchain technology to ensure the security, transparency, and integrity of the electoral process. One of the key benefits of our platform is its ability to help the African diaspora participate in elections remotely, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of where they are located, has the opportunity to have their voice heard. By using our mobile-first voting system, diaspora communities can easily and securely cast their votes, contributing to the democratic process without the logistical challenges of traditional voting methods. This kind of accessibility is crucial for maintaining strong democratic ties and empowering those living abroad to remain engaged in their home country’s future.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the pavilion featured U.S. government leaders like Thomas Bruns from the Department of Commerce and Joy Basu from the Department of State, underscoring the importance of collaboration in advancing Africa’s digital goals. Companies like Astranis Space Technologies, Connectivity Capital, Resecurity, A10 Networks, Netstratum and others are joining us to bring cutting-edge solutions in connectivity, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. The presence of such a diverse group of technology innovators showcases the collective effort to build resilient digital systems that can meet the growing needs of the continent.

(Photo courtesy of US Commercial Service Sub-Saharan Africa)

Our involvement in the Africa Tech Festival aligns perfectly with our mission to leverage technology to create secure and inclusive digital experiences, especially in the context of elections. We believe in the transformative power of digital tools not only to secure electoral processes but also to bridge the technological divide. As Africa continues its journey towards greater digital empowerment, we are proud to contribute innovative solutions that can foster transparency, increase voter participation, and ultimately strengthen the democratic fabric of nations. We look forward to forging new partnerships, sharing knowledge, and learning from our African counterparts as we work towards a future where technology empowers every citizen.

We are grateful to the US Commercial Service (Sub-Saharan Africa) team and the Prosper Africa team for their kind assistance during this showcase.

Voatz Powers Historic 2024 Federal Elections in Mexico

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Overseas Voter Turnout Soars Amid Stellar Cybersecurity Performance.

Boston, MA, USA / Mexico City, Mexico – In a groundbreaking moment for democracy and technological innovation, Voatz successfully powered the 2024 Federal Elections in Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of blockchain-backed online voting systems. This was the first time that Mexicans living overseas were able to cast their votes using this secure and transparent technology in a Federal election, reflecting Mexico’s commitment to expanding access to voting while ensuring security and integrity in the face of potential threats.

A Historic Election: First Woman President Elected

The 2024 elections were not just historic for their technological advances—they also saw Mexico elect its first woman president. This landmark victory is a pivotal step forward for representation and inclusivity in Mexican politics. The Voatz system played an instrumental role in facilitating voter participation globally, ensuring that overseas Mexicans could contribute to this momentous election.

Cybersecurity at the Forefront: A Battle-Tested System

One of the key achievements of the 2024 Federal Elections was the flawless performance of Voatz’s platform amidst a complex cybersecurity environment. In the lead-up to and during the elections, the system successfully fended off multiple cyber threats and potential attacks aimed at disrupting the voting process. Voatz’s advanced security features, which include end-to-end encryption and blockchain-based immutability, proved resilient in protecting the integrity of the election.

The blockchain-backed voting system ensured that each vote was securely recorded and could not be altered or tampered with, even in the presence of multiple threats. Every vote cast was encrypted, making it inaccessible to unauthorized parties, while the immutable nature of blockchain technology allowed election officials to fully audit and verify the process. This gave voters and election authorities confidence in the security and transparency of the system.

Increased Participation Among Overseas Voters

In addition to demonstrating robust cybersecurity, the election saw a dramatic increase in overseas voter participation. Voatz’s platform helped drive this surge by offering a secure and convenient method for overseas Mexicans to participate in the election. Overseas voter turnout more than doubled compared to the previous federal election in 2018, a testament to how blockchain-backed mobile voting systems can empower citizens regardless of their geographical location.

Voatz’s platform allowed overseas voters to verify their credentials securely and cast their votes without the hurdles of traveling to polling stations or relying on postal services. With cybersecurity at the core of the platform, voters could rest assured that their ballots were cast and counted with full integrity, despite the threat of interference.

A Closer Look at Voatz’s Cybersecurity Measures

Voatz’s system is designed with multiple layers of security to defend against sophisticated cyber threats. These include:

  • End-to-End Encryption: Protecting the data from the voter’s device to the vote’s final recording on the blockchain, ensuring total privacy.
  • Blockchain Immutability: Each vote is secured using a blockchain-based infrastructure, ensuring that once a vote is cast, it cannot be altered or deleted.
  • Auditability: The blockchain infrastructure provides full transparency, allowing election officials to audit the entire voting process to confirm its accuracy.
  • Rigorous Penetration Testing: Prior to the election, Voatz underwent extensive third-party cybersecurity testing to ensure it could withstand advanced cyberattacks.

Despite the presence of multiple threats, Voatz’s system stood resilient, protecting the integrity of the election and allowing Mexican voters around the world to cast their ballots confidently.

The Future of Secure and Accessible Voting

The success of the 2024 Federal Elections in Mexico is a powerful demonstration of how secure and accessible voting solutions can transform the democratic process. Voatz is proud to have contributed to this historic election, providing a platform that not only expanded voter participation but also withstood significant cybersecurity challenges.

We are grateful to our partners IDEEO, the AWS team and the INE team for their amazing support and collaboration to make this a grand success.

Looking forward, Voatz remains committed to innovating the future of elections, ensuring that blockchain-backed voting technology can continue to empower citizens everywhere while maintaining the highest levels of security and transparency.

Call to Vote for all Voatz Shareholders

Posted on by itops

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA – November 1, 2023: Voatz is inviting all its common and preferred stockholders to participate in a unique call to vote.

Voatz shareholders now have a first of its kind opportunity to vote using the Voatz app.

Shareholders can participate in select Polls, sign Petitions as well as provide valuable feedback to the Voatz team regarding its products and help guide the future direction of the Company. Perhaps even help choose a new Board Member in the near future.

If you’ve always thought that Shareholder Voting was relevant for public companies only, then we invite you to think again.

Click here to get started.

Voatz Rated as a Trusted Blockchain Solution for Elections

Posted on by itops

For Immediate Release

Washington DC – September 14, 2023: The Government Blockchain Association today announced that Voatz, a blockchain-based voting technology, has earned the designation of a Trusted Blockchain Solution after undergoing an independent assessment using the Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM).

Voatz’s Remote Accessible Ballot Delivery, Marking, and Return (RABDMR) blockchain solution has been a game-changer in election implementations worldwide, successfully supporting diverse elections, including political party and presidential elections in the United States and internationally.

The assessment of Voatz’s RABDMR solution was conducted using the Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM), a framework developed by the Government Blockchain Association and recognized by the United Nations Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance & Standardization.

Voatz specializes in providing highly secure and accessible voting solutions for overseas citizens, military personnel, diplomats, first responders and citizens with disabilities. The solution leverages mobile devices, biometrics, hardware-based security and blockchain technology to create a private and convenient voting experience for these critical demographics.

Gerard Dache, Executive Director of GBA, lauded Voatz, stating, “Voatz has earned the designation as a trusted blockchain solution because of their steadfast commitment to secure and accessible elections”. He added, “Voatz has now joined the ranks of globally recognized trusted blockchain solutions featured on the United Nations Blockchain Assurance & Standardization Dynamic Coalition website”.

Nimit Sawhney, Co-Founder/CEO of Voatz stated, “The Voatz team is thrilled to be the first election solution to complete this BMM assessment and achieve a trusted blockchain solution designation. We look forward to serving more governments/election officials globally and bringing more accessibility, transparency, and security to the electoral and e-governance infrastructure”.

The assessment was carried out by a team of GBA-qualified senior-level experts specializing in blockchain technology, legal matters, regulatory compliance, and election processes. This team employed a comprehensive framework and a rigorous assessment methodology that evaluates the voting solution from eleven distinct perspectives, including Distribution, Governance, Identity Management, Interoperability, Performance, Privacy, Reliability, Resilience, Security, Infrastructure Sustainability, and Synchronization.

Voatz’s dedication to providing secure and inclusive voting solutions has received further validation with this recognition. At a time when election security and accessibility are paramount concerns, Voatz’s RABDMR solution shines as a beacon of trustworthiness and innovation in the blockchain-based voting landscape.

— For more information about Voatz and its groundbreaking solutions, please visit https://voatz.com.

— To learn more about the Blockchain Maturity Model and its applications, visit https://www.gbaglobal.org/blockchain-maturity-model.

— For additional insights into the United Nations Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance & Standardization, please visit https://intgovforum.org/en/content/dynamic-coalition-on-blockchain-assurance-and-standardization-dc-bas.

About Voatz:

Voatz is an award winning mobile-first elections platform backed by cutting-edge security, biometrics and a blockchain-backed infrastructure. Since its inception, Voatz has successfully served more than 2.3 million voters across 125 elections in 6 countries. In 2018, Voatz ran the first mobile vote in US Federal Election history, and, in 2020, Voatz became the first smartphone app based system to be used for voting in the US Presidential Elections. Voatz was recently selected by 15 cities in Canada for the 2022 Ontario Municipal Elections.

About the Government Blockchain Association (GBA):

The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is a global nonprofit organization that facilitates the adoption of blockchain technology in government and public sector organizations. GBA’s mission is to educate and empower public sector professionals to understand, adopt, and utilize blockchain technology for more efficient, secure, and transparent government services.

The Digital Democracy Project officially kicks off in Florida

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All registered voters in the State of Florida can participate.

Ever wish you could tell your legislators exactly how to vote? Well, now you can! 

The Digital Democracy Project is live. All registered Florida voters can visit here to get started.

Once voters submit their (secret) votes, the tally and other insightful statistics are available here.

The legislator scorecard can be viewed here.

Voatz is providing the secure voting technology for this project and is proud to be a part of this initiative led by Ramon Perez and his team.

Voatz Successfully Completes Its 2022 Elections in the US & Canada

Posted on by itops

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA / North Bay, ON – November 11, 2022: Voatz announces the successful completion of its elections in the US and Canada as part of the 2022 election cycle. Nearly half a million voters were eligible to use the Voatz system during this election cycle across multiple jurisdictions.

Voatz Track Record

As of this release, Voatz has successfully completed 115 elections and enabled more than 2.1 million voters to cast their ballots in a secure, accessible manner using the convenience of their personal devices. The Voatz team is extremely grateful for the trust and support it has received from various election officials, administrators and voters globally.

“Our team has been working tirelessly to expand access and security in elections.” said a Voatz spokesperson. “We strongly believe that technologies such as ours can play a significant role in rebuilding trust and making the electoral process safer and truly accessible for all. The groundwork to conduct large scale online elections has now been laid and we are super excited to embrace the opportunities ahead.”

Voatz is at the forefront of providing accessible, secure remote voting for all citizens and has established itself as a global leader in delivering successful elections especially in high threat scenarios. Its award winning mobile first election system continues to receive high praise from citizens and administrators alike.

Voatz Testimonial
Voatz Testimonial

About Voatz 

Voatz is an award-winning mobile elections platform that leverages cutting-edge technology (including remote identity verification, biometrics and a blockchain-based infrastructure) to increase access, auditability and security in elections. Since 2016, Voatz has served more than 2.1 millions voters across 115 elections with national/state/municipal governments, universities, nonprofits, and major state political parties. Voatz specializes in delivering successful elections in high threat environments.

Key Milestone – Our 100th Election

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On September 26th 2022, we kicked off our 100th election which also happened to be our first ever governmental election in Ontario, Canada.

As a new entrant to the Canadian market, we are delighted to be pioneering mobile first voting (running on a blockchain backed infrastructure) in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Elections across several jurisdictions.

Voatz 100th Election - 1st in Canada

We are grateful for the trust placed in us by election officials, administrators and electors. We look forward to a highly successful election cycle this year.

Updated 10/25/22 – Turnout in this milestone election increased from 38.46% (in 2018 where Voatz wasn’t used) to 43.55% in 2022. See details below:

Eclypses Partners with Voatz to pilot Quantum Resistant Security for Mobile Voting

Posted on by V Team Author

Eclypses has partnered with Voatz, a leading mobile voting platform provider to pilot its “Quantum Resistant” security solution in upcoming elections. Voatz made history by being the 1st mobile voting application backed by a blockchain-based infrastructure to be used successfully in a US presidential election this year, allowing voters to securely cast their ballots on their personal smartphones.

Eclypses MicroToken Exchange® (MTE) is being integrated into certain aspects of the Voatz mobile voting infrastructure to future-proof the security of the network communication as well as further improve the detection of rooted/jailbroken devices in order to make it exponentially harder for malicious actors to tamper with voter devices.

Voatz CEO Nimit Sawhney states, “Security is a persistent work in progress and Voatz has always been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries. We are excited to partner with the Eclypses team to further this exciting exploration of how a modern election system can function seamlessly in the presence of anticipated future threats and provide an accessible method of voting to citizens around the world.”

Eclypses’ CEO Bryan Champagne states, “Protecting the most vulnerable data from cyberattacks has always been our top priority. Our MicroToken Exchange® (MTE) cyber technology is uniquely positioned for all mobile apps to create an advanced security strategy that enhances any existing security measures in place. We are thrilled about our partnership with Voatz, as they continue to pioneer through the mobile app sector and provide accessibility for people to participate in democracy.”

About Eclypses

Eclypses sets the new standard for protecting your most sensitive data. Their disruptive technology provides clients with the highest level of data security available today. Eclypses offers a transformative “Quantum Resistant” security solution using the MicroToken Exchange® (MTE) framework, patented methods to replace actual data with MicroTokens. This disruptive technology, revolutionary in both speed and accessibility, gives clients access to the highest level of security available today, safeguarding even the most vulnerable data from cyberattacks. For more information, please visit www.eclypses.com.

About Voatz

Voatz is a mobile elections platform that is changing the way the world votes. Backed by cutting-edge security, biometrics and a blockchain-based elections infrastructure, Voatz enables smartphone and tablet voting to increase accessibility and security in elections. Since 2016, Voatz has successfully conducted more than 75 elections successfully including the world’s largest mobile voting exercise using the blockchain. In 2018, Voatz ran the first mobile blockchain vote in US Federal Mid-Term Election history with the State of West Virginia. In 2020, Voatz became the first smartphone app based mobile elections platform to be used in the US Presidential Elections. To learn more, please visit https://voatz.com.

Who benefits from mobile voting?

Posted on by V Team Author

While the pandemic has highlighted the desperate need for better remote voting options in the United States and other parts of the world, for many groups this lack of options is not a new concern. Voters with disabilities, overseas military personnel, Native Americans, and so many others lack equal access to the ballot during every single election – COVID-19 has only exacerbated an existing problem. Offering well-tested alternatives to traditional in-person and mail-in voting methods serves only to make our elections more equal and fair.

Bottom line: All citizens deserve access to a safe, secure, and accessible method of voting remotely – mobile voting can help us get there. 

To experience a full download of this graphic—with detailed explanations of how each demographic can benefit from mobile voting – click the button below.

Download Full PDF

Michigan Democratic Party Completes Successful Virtual Convention with the Help of Mobile Voting App Voatz

Posted on by itops

BOSTON and LANSING, Mich., Sept. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Voatz, the Boston-based mobile voting platform, today announced the successful completion of a first-of-its-kind virtual convention with the Michigan Democratic Party. This year’s convention was the first to virtually nominate candidates for the state Supreme Court, among other elected positions, for the November ballot.

Forced to participate from their homes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 2,000 delegates both submitted signature nominations and voted for their preferred candidates on the mobile app downloaded to their smartphones. Besides the Michigan Supreme Court, candidates were nominated to the state Board of Education and boards at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. Roughly 91 percent of 2,092 credentialed delegates participated. 

This milestone marks the fourth convention that the Michigan Democratic Party has completed in collaboration with Voatz, with the prior three conventions occurring on-site in Lansing and Detroit and using the Voatz tablet voting system. This prior collaboration contributed to a smooth transition to an all-virtual convention for the party without disruption, and marks yet another compelling case for the benefit of piloting technology options that make elections resilient. 

“There were so many unique challenges with this year’s convention because of the pandemic, but the Voatz platform eased many of our concerns,” said Christy Jensen, Executive Director of the Michigan Democratic Party. “Voatz enabled our delegates to be verified remotely and participate through their smartphones. The convenience, safety and accessibility of voting this way was eye-opening for everyone who participated.”

Voatz’s staff worked closely with the party to ensure voter education, training, and a smooth rollout of the platform for all users. The platform was also built in cooperation with disability rights advocates, including accommodations for the visually impaired. Those who did not use the Voatz app had access to voting through a help desk. 

“We’ve always enjoyed working with the Michigan Democratic Party and this time, are proud to have helped them with their first-ever virtual convention,” said Voatz Co-Founder and CEO Nimit Sawhney. “These are such uncertain times in so many regards, including voting, and we wanted to ensure a seamless remote experience. We’re happy to have seen such positive turnout from thousands of voters, who were able to cast their votes safely and securely.”

About Voatz
Voatz is an award-winning mobile elections platform that leverages cutting-edge technology (including biometrics and a blockchain-based infrastructure) to increase access and security in elections. Since 2016 Voatz has run 70 elections with cities, universities, towns, nonprofits, and both major state political parties for convention voting. Learn more here.

About the Michigan Democratic Party
The Michigan Democratic Party fights for families, seniors, students and veterans, and works to elect Democrats across the state while holding Republicans accountable across the board.