Faith, Fear, and the Future of the Vote

Catherine Engelbrecht – After my last message about voter singularity and “Smart Paper,” we received a wide range of responses — some hopeful, some cautious, and some deeply concerned.

I want you to know: I understand. And you’re right to ask questions.

Technological advancements are reshaping every part of our lives—how we bank, shop, even how we communicate. Elections should be no exception. Now is the time to demand meaningful reform through tech innovation, while we still have the chance to shape a system that reflects the values of transparency, integrity, and citizen control.

We’ve all seen the damage caused by misuse of election technology— when unseen systems make decisions that affect our lives, when accountability disappears behind complexity, when those in power turn complexity into confusion, then wield it as a weapon.

That’s exactly why we’re having this conversation. Because technology is moving fast — and what comes next must be built with honesty, simplicity, and the consent of the voters. Not with machines controlled by rogue agents. Not behind closed doors. Not with fine print. Not with blind faith. That time has passed. Citizens must engage in what comes next — or it will come next without us.

The only way to ensure these systems serve us is to be part of shaping them from the start.

On faith.

I also know many people of faith are watching the rapid advances with growing concern. It can feel overwhelming — even threatening — as if humanity is losing its soul in a world moving too fast. But we must also remember: God is not surprised by any of this. He is not absent from our future. His sovereignty does not end where innovation begins.

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11

So, if you felt unsure or even alarmed by terms like blockchain or Smart Paper, let’s talk about what these ideas actually mean, and what they don’t.

Why Blockchain?

Let’s start by talking about blockchain. Many people were concerned by my suggestion that election processes could be reliably supported by blockchain — and it seemed like there was some confusion about blockchain being the same thing as Bitcoin.

Blockchain is not Bitcoin. Blockchain is just a system of recordkeeping that can’t be changed or hidden. Bitcoin and other crypto currencies use blockchain technology to keep accurate records. Blockchain is also used for things like supply chain management, medical records, real estate transactions, and more. It’s a distributed ledger — a secure open notebook — that anyone can read, but no one can erase.

Imagine if voter registrations, ballot counts, and election certifications were written into a system that no one could manipulate — not a political party, not a government agency, not a vendor. That’s the vision. Not surrender. Not secrecy. Transparency by design.

Why Smart Paper?

As for Smart Paper — it’s a concept we’re actively exploring. “Smart” paper ballots. A physical ballot that could carry a digital fingerprint, not for voting online, but for helping verify that your paper vote was counted. Nothing about it would move voting away from paper or local control. If anything, it brings us closer to both.

And, for good measure, let’s define digital fingerprint. A digital fingerprint is like a unique seal that proves something is real and unchanged. Think of it like a tamper-evident seal on a medicine bottle. You don’t need to open the bottle to know if it’s been messed with — the seal tells you if it’s safe and authentic.

In the digital world, that “seal” can be a string of numbers and letters created by a secure formula (called a hash). For example, when a ballot is printed, the system could generate a unique hash (aka digital fingerprint) that’s tied to that exact ballot.

A typical hash is 64 characters long. Here’s a sample of how it might look:

e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855

It would be long enough to be virtually impossible to fake or duplicate. If someone tries to alter or duplicate the ballot, the fingerprint won’t match anymore. That mismatch would immediately reveal that something’s wrong.

So, even without scanning anything, officials can check whether a ballot is real and unchanged — just by checking the “fingerprint” of the ballot.

It’s a way to add security and transparency to your ballot without giving up the privacy of your vote.

The big question: Where do we go from here?

In the weeks ahead, we’ll begin unpacking these ideas — secure voter registration; real-time resolution of identity, residency, citizenship; smart paper, verified casting and counting of votes; public auditability; algorhythmic redistricting; and more. We’ll cover it all, step by step. You deserve the full picture, without the tech jargon. And we’re going to give it to you.

To those who wrote in with concerns: thank you. Your voice matters. This is a conversation — and we’re committed to having it openly, honestly, and together.

Keep the faith! Never quit! Ephesians 6 FTW!

Ever onward,
Catherine Engelbrecht

SF Source True the Vote May 2025