Modern Miracles and Basic Failures: Why America’s Voting System Needs a Technological Overhaul

By Stephen Zogopoulos, USNN World News

In an age when we can reach the stars, create robots, and bring AI into the heart of our daily lives, it seems absurd that we struggle with something as foundational as secure voting. As we launch rockets, decode genomes, and place artificial intelligence in our homes, one might think that a process as critical to democracy as the Presidential election would be foolproof, above reproach, and universally trusted. Yet, every election cycle raises questions about our ability to reliably, accurately, and fairly tabulate votes. With so much at stake, why do we fall short in what should be a simple guarantee to every American citizen: the integrity of the vote?

Cleaning Up the Voter Rolls

At the core of this issue lies a fundamental problem: outdated and often bloated voter rolls. Despite technological advances, voter databases across the country still suffer from inaccuracies. Dead voters remain listed, and former residents are still counted in precincts they have long since left. These errors not only open the door to potential fraud but undermine confidence in the system. Updating these rolls should be a routine matter, but it has proven challenging due to bureaucratic inertia and political sensitivities. There is no reason why, in 2024, we cannot have a more rigorous, systematic approach to maintaining accurate, up-to-date records. We need legislation requiring states to update voter rolls regularly and using data-sharing tools, such as cross-referencing national databases, to prevent duplications across state lines.

Proof of Citizenship: Ensuring Only Americans Vote

The right to vote is one of the highest privileges of citizenship, yet our current system does not require consistent proof that those casting ballots are, indeed, citizens. Although some states enforce identification requirements, the lack of a uniform standard has left many concerned that non-citizens may have the opportunity to vote. This is not an issue of partisanship; it’s an issue of ensuring that every vote cast is from a qualified citizen. A simple, standardized proof of citizenship could alleviate widespread doubts and contribute to a fairer, more transparent process.

Restoring Trust with Hand-Counted Ballots

Automation has revolutionized the world, but perhaps it’s time to reconsider the old-fashioned methods when it comes to our elections. As we increasingly rely on machines and software for voting, the public’s trust has been repeatedly tested, especially with widespread rumors of hacking and software manipulation or failure. Hand-counted ballots, while labor-intensive, remain the gold standard for integrity. In an election as consequential as the presidency, every vote should be meticulously counted by hand, with bipartisan oversight, to guarantee accuracy. The process may be slow, but the result would be worth it: an outcome the entire country can stand behind, regardless of party affiliation.

A Call for Accountability: Prosecuting Election Fraud as Treason

An election is more than just a civic duty; it’s a sacred institution that underpins our democracy. The act of undermining an election should not be treated as a minor offense but rather as an act of betrayal to the nation. In this era of global uncertainty, any action that seeks to weaken the public’s faith in democracy should be treated with the utmost severity. Those caught attempting to vote multiple times, voting as non-citizens, or manipulating the election process should face significant penalties, up to and including charges of treason. Harsh as it may sound, this level of accountability would send a clear message that tampering with democracy has severe, unnegotiable consequences.

Leveraging Technology for a Secure Vote: If We Can Send People to Space, We Can Protect the Ballot

Finally, it is baffling that in a country capable of landing rovers on Mars and creating robots with nearly human capabilities, we struggle to protect the vote. Technology could revolutionize elections if wielded wisely. For instance, blockchain technology could be employed to create an immutable, verifiable record of every vote cast, ensuring security and transparency. Advanced encryption and biometric verification could be used to confirm voter identity while preserving privacy. If we have the tools to secure banking, healthcare, and defense systems, we have the tools to secure our democracy—if only we commit to using them.

A Call to Action: America Deserves a Better Voting System

The solution is clear: clean up the voter rolls, enforce proof of citizenship, hand-count every ballot, prosecute those who undermine the vote, and leverage our technological might to safeguard democracy. It’s time for us to match our electoral system with the extraordinary capabilities of the modern world. We deserve an election process that embodies the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and trust.

The choice is ours: continue with a fractured system vulnerable to manipulation, or rebuild a voting system worthy of the democracy it represents. The stakes could not be higher, and America deserves no less than a fair, foolproof election.

Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of USNN World News or its editorial board.