On Sat, 27 Jul 1996, ichudov@algebra.com (Igor Chudov @ home) wrote:
so the authority that controls the voting knows to whom the keys belong. When voters submit their votes, they will know who signed these votes.
I do not see how this system is anonymous.
Look into "Applied Cryptography" By Schneier, 2nd edition, Page 125.
- Igor.
To the extent that no link is recorded between a particular key and a particular voter, the system is anonymous. As I said in the original post, if the govt cheats during the key registration process, the system is not anonymous. However, if the registered voter database and the key/ballot database are on non-connected, separate systems, it is certainly possible to devise a key registration protocol to ensure anonymity. Here is a more detailed description of the registration method: 1. The registration process takes place in two separate rooms, one anonymous, and one non-anonymous, which are staffed by separate people, with separate computer systems. The only way to enter/exit the anonymous room is via the non-anonymous room. 2. The voter enters the non-anonymous room, where he provides proofs of identity and residence and is entered in the registered voter database, which is NOT publicly available. 3. Once the voter has demonstrated eligibility, he is given a token that designates him as a registered voter, but has no personal information. A hard-to-counterfeit carved rod (too large to conceal on one's person) or something similar would be a good choice. 4. The token gives the voter clearance to enter the anonymous room. Upon presenting the token, the voter inputs his key into the key database. (Insert your key disk in drive A and press Enter...) After the key has been entered into the system, the voter is given the receipt indicating that his key has been entered in the key database. 5. The voter goes back to the non-anonymous room. He turns in the token, signs a statement indicating that he entered a key and received a receipt for it, (to prevent voters from registering more than one key and thus voting more than once) and then goes home. Jonathan Wienke "1935 will go down in history! For the first time a civilized nation has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead in the future!" --Adolf Hitler "46. The U.S. government declares a ban on the possession, sale, transportation, and transfer of all non-sporting firearms. ...Consider the following statement: I would fire upon U.S. citizens who refuse or resist confiscation of firearms banned by the U.S. government." --The 29 Palms Combat Arms Survey http://www.ksfo560.com/Personalities/Palms.htm 1935 Germany = 1996 U.S.? Key fingerprint = 30 F9 85 7F D2 75 4B C6 BC 79 87 3D 99 21 50 CB