Vanel’s bill, submitted to the Assembly Election Law Committee, tasks the New York State Board of Elections with evaluating on-chain systems as tools for delivering what he terms “uncensored truth” in democratic processes. If approved, the Board will examine similar initiatives in other states and produce a comprehensive report within 12 months.
While the proposal is currently under committee review, it must pass through several legislative stages—including Assembly and Senate votes—before reaching the Governor’s desk for final approval. This marks the fifth version of Vanel’s election-focused blockchain legislation since 2017, none of which have yet become law.
New York also pioneered regulatory frameworks for crypto companies with the introduction of the BitLicense in 2015 by former Department of Financial Services Superintendent Benjamin Lawsky.
In response, over 15 US states have moved to draft legislation supporting public investment in Bitcoin, with Arizona and Utah initially leading the effort. However, Utah later removed the Bitcoin provision from its proposed bill.
In the electoral space, blockchain’s decentralized structure could offer an added layer of protection against tampering and misinformation, particularly in contentious or high-turnout elections.
Should New York proceed with this evaluation, the outcome could influence broader efforts to digitize and secure voting systems. While critics may question blockchain’s scalability or voter accessibility, supporters argue it offers a tamper-resistant, auditable solution well-suited for modern governance.
Vanel’s legislation could lay the groundwork for a more technologically integrated electoral process that balances innovation with security.
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