1. Purpose
This document outlines the secure voting mechanisms used within Canuckduck’s Consensus system. The primary goal is to ensure fair, anonymous, and tamper-proof voting, while also incorporating conviction voting principles to reflect sustained decision-making.
2. Core Voting Principles
- Anonymity – Votes are cast and stored without any direct link to a user’s identity.
- Tamper-Resistant – Votes are recorded securely and cannot be altered after submission.
- Conviction-Based Influence – Users who maintain their votes for extended periods may have increased voting weight.
- Transparency & Auditability – While votes are anonymous, overall results remain publicly verifiable.
- No Last-Minute Manipulation – A hidden lock-in period ensures fair decision-making.
3. Secure Voting Mechanism
- Authentication Required – Only authenticated users who have engaged in Pond or Flightplan discussions related to the issue can vote.
- One Vote Per User – Each verified user can vote only once per issue, with no ability to create duplicate votes.
- Encrypted Vote Storage – Votes are stored in a hashed format, preventing unauthorized access or retroactive changes.
- Public Verification Without Identity Disclosure – Voting results are publicly viewable, but individual votes remain anonymous.
- Anti-Brigading Measures – Direct social media links to Consensus are restricted, ensuring voters engage with the issue before casting votes.
4. Conviction Voting System
Conviction voting rewards sustained decision-making by applying time-weighted influence to votes.
- Initial Vote Weight = 1x (Default)
- Holding Period Multiplier:
- 1 week → 1.1x weight
- 2 weeks → 1.25x weight
- 1 month → 1.5x weight
- 3+ months → 2x weight
- Changing Your Vote Resets Conviction – If a user changes their vote, their conviction timer resets, discouraging short-term strategic shifts.
- Undisclosed Lock-In Period – Users may assume they can change votes at any time, but a hidden lock-in period prevents last-minute gaming of results.
- Decaying Influence – If a vote remains unchanged beyond a defined time (e.g., 6 months), its weight gradually decreases to ensure ongoing participation.
5. Preventing Manipulation & Fraud
- AI-Based Anomaly Detection – The system flags suspicious voting patterns (e.g., rapid, coordinated voting shifts).
- Rate-Limiting for New Accounts – Prevents mass account creation for vote rigging.
- No External Vote Linking – Direct links to votes are blocked; users must engage with discussions first.
- Voting Confirmation Prompts – Users must confirm their selection before submission to prevent misclicks or rushed decisions.
6. Post-Vote Actions & Transparency
- Public Results – Once voting concludes, aggregate results are displayed, while individual votes remain anonymous.
- Issue Resolution in Flightplan – Approved solutions move to the implementation phase with a structured plan.
- Post-Mortem Analysis – Flightplan reviews include a retrospective on how votes were cast and their long-term impact.
7. Conclusion
Canuckduck’s Secure Voting & Conviction Voting System ensures that votes are protected, fair, and resistant to external influence while rewarding long-term commitment to decisions. By implementing these safeguards, the platform maintains integrity in governance without compromising transparency or user trust.