New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-33) has introduced a groundbreaking legislative proposal to explore the use of blockchain technology in securing the state’s electoral process. The bill, Assembly Bill A7716, filed on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, aims to leverage blockchain’s decentralized and tamper-resistant properties to protect voter records and election results, presenting what Vanel calls an “uncensored truth” in democratic decision-making.
The proposal, currently under review by the Assembly Election Law Committee, directs the New York State Board of Elections to conduct a comprehensive study on blockchain’s potential to enhance election integrity and combat voter fraud. If passed, the Board would collaborate with the Office of Information Technology Services and consult experts in blockchain, cybersecurity, and election systems, delivering a report within 12 months. The bill defines blockchain as “a decentralized, cryptographically secure, immutable, and auditable system capable of preserving an ‘uncensored truth,’” according to the draft text cited by The Block.
Vanel, a long-time advocate for blockchain innovation, emphasized the technology’s potential to restore public trust in elections. “We can’t afford to use substandard technology to protect voter information,” he stated in a previous commentary on the New York State Assembly website. “If this technology is good enough to protect money and other valuable assets, we should use it to protect our voter records and election results,” he added, referencing past incidents like the 2016 loss of 120,000 voter records in Kings County.
The initiative aligns with a growing national trend of exploring blockchain for governance solutions. CryptoNews reports that the bill reflects similar efforts in states like Utah, where blockchain voting was tested successfully, and Kentucky, which recently enacted the “Bitcoin Rights” bill. At the federal level, President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve has further fueled interest in decentralized technologies.
Supporters argue that blockchain’s transparency and immutability could prevent tampering and ensure accurate vote tallies. “New York considers blockchain to prevent election fraud and ensure transparency in state voting processes,” noted Oluwapelumi Adejumo in a CryptoSlate article published today.
However, skeptics, including researchers from MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative, caution that blockchain voting could introduce new vulnerabilities, such as cybersecurity risks that outweigh the benefits of convenience (MIT Digital Currency Initiative, 2020).
The bill’s journey is just beginning. It must pass the full Assembly, the New York Senate, and receive Governor approval to become law. “This could significantly shift how New York approaches digital trust and election transparency if approved,” Adejumo wrote. For now, Vanel’s proposal marks a bold step toward modernizing New York’s electoral system, sparking debate over the role of cutting-edge technology in democracy.
