New York is considering the potential of blockchain technology as a means to enhance its electoral process, following the recent introduction of legislation in the state assembly.
Assemblymember Clyde Vanel (D-33) proposed Assembly Bill A7716 on Tuesday, which seeks to initiate an official examination of how blockchain could safeguard voter information and election outcomes.
The proposed legislation assigns the New York State Board of Elections the task of evaluating the effectiveness of blockchain in maintaining election integrity, with a report expected within one year.
New York Bill Promotes Blockchain as an ‘Uncensored Truth’ for Election Security
The measure characterizes blockchain as a decentralized, cryptographically secure, immutable, and auditable technology capable of ensuring an “uncensored truth.”
It also calls for collaboration between the Board of Elections and the Office of Information Technology Services, involving insights from specialists in blockchain, cybersecurity, and electoral systems.
Currently, the bill is under consideration by the Assembly Election Law Committee and has not yet been voted on by the full legislature.
Should it progress, the bill would need to pass in both the Assembly and Senate before being submitted to the governor for final approval.
If enacted, the Board of Elections would be mandated to report its findings within one year, including case studies from other states and jurisdictions that have successfully implemented similar technologies.
This initiative marks Vanel’s continued efforts to introduce such legislation; versions of this bill have been present in the state legislature since 2017, albeit without advancing to law.
However, the increasing national interest in the utility of blockchain for public sector applications may provide new impetus to this proposal.
New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel Introduces Bill to Use Blockchain for Securing Voter Records and Election Results. pic.twitter.com/b3Y0E2Qp7l
— TheCryptoBasic (@thecryptobasic) April 9, 2025
In a broader context, Utah has recently enacted HB230, which aims to safeguard blockchain-related activities, although it excluded provisions for state-level Bitcoin investments.
This new legislation does, however, provide protections for digital transactions, wallets, and network operations.
On the national front, interest in blockchain has surged following an executive order from former President Donald Trump in March, which aims to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
41 Bitcoin Reserve Bills Emerge Across 23 States
The integration of Bitcoin into legislative frameworks is gaining traction throughout the United States.
According to data from Bitcoin Law, a total of 47 Bitcoin reserve bills have been introduced across 26 states, with 41 currently active in various stages of consideration.
Recently, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 701, dubbed the “Bitcoin Rights” bill, officially designating it as law and positioning the state as a leader in protecting the rights of digital asset users.
Other states are also taking significant steps forward. Oklahoma’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (HB 1203), led by Representative Cody Maynard, recently passed the House with a 77-15 vote and is now awaiting Senate deliberation.
This places Oklahoma alongside Texas as a prominent state in the push for establishing state-level Bitcoin reserves.
Missouri is similarly evaluating its own Bitcoin reserve initiative through the Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs.
Additionally, in Arizona, two significant Bitcoin bills successfully advanced past the House Rules Committee on March 24.
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