In a November 3, 2026 blog post, Trail of Bits explored how cryptographic protocols like Helios and ElectionGuard address electronic voting challenges, while emphasizing why paper ballots remain essential.
Challenges of Electronic Voting
According to Trail of Bits, electronic voting systems face significant security hurdles, including maintaining voter privacy, ensuring ballot integrity without a cryptographic identity, and preventing double voting. A 2018 report by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that electronic ballot return should not be used in general elections.
Electronic systems also introduce the risk of supply-chain or zero-day vulnerabilities that could scale across voting machines and jurisdictions.
Cryptographic Safeguards in Helios and ElectionGuard
Trail of Bits highlighted protocols like Helios and ElectionGuard, which use encryption and zero-knowledge proofs. Helios targets lower-risk settings like the International Association for Cryptologic Research board elections, while ElectionGuard integrates with traditional voting infrastructure.
ElectionGuard extends ballot commitments by chaining them together to allow voters to detect changes in earlier votes cast on the same device.
Key facts and where they come from
- Helios has been used by the International Association for Cryptologic Research to elect its board of directors.
Famously, it is used by the International Association for Cryptologic Research to elect its board of directors.
- A 2018 report by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that electronic ballot return should not be used in general elections.
electronic ballot return (also known as online voting or internet voting) should not be used in general elections
