Sequent, a pioneering online voting platform, is redefining the democratic process by making it more accessible, secure, and verifiable. Founded by a team with deep roots in cybersecurity, cryptography, and electoral processes, the company is dedicated to ensuring that every vote counts and that every voter can trust the integrity of the electoral process.
Democracy faces numerous challenges—from declining voter turnout to growing concerns about election security. Sequent’s mission is to empower citizens and enhance democratic engagement through cryptographic-based technology. At its core, the company offers a three-tiered assurance system that addresses the fundamental needs of modern elections: voter confidentiality, end-to-end vote verifiability, and complete system transparency.
“Democracy is evolving to ensure that voting is accessible to all, and our technology is at the forefront of safeguarding voter privacy and the integrity of elections,” says Shai Bargil, co-founder and CEO of Sequent. “This makes it possible to ensure the participation of any voter, anywhere in the world, at any time. Additionally, by integrating advanced cryptographic measures with an open-source approach, we provide a platform that both secures the vote and evokes public trust in the electoral process.”
Sequent’s approach to digital democracy is rooted in the belief that accessibility is crucial for a thriving democratic system. The company’s platform is designed to be user-friendly and ensure that voters of all backgrounds can participate in elections without technical barriers. This is particularly significant in regions where traditional voting methods tend to limit voter turnout.
Cutting-edge technology at the core
Eduardo Robles, co-founder and CTO of Sequent, emphasizes the technological sophistication that underpins the platform. “Our system leverages state-of-the-art cybersecurity practices and cryptographic protocols to create a secure and transparent voting environment. From ensuring distributed key generation to utilizing zero-knowledge proofs, every component of our technology is designed to safeguard voter privacy and election integrity.”
Sequent’s online voting solution includes several key features designed to optimize both security and user experience. The platform supports multiple electoral systems, from plurality voting to ranked-choice and cumulative voting, making it adaptable to a wide range of electoral needs. Voters can cast their ballots using any device with internet access, without needing to download software, and they can verify that their vote has been counted correctly through a unique tracking system.
The platform’s adaptability and ease of use make it a valuable tool for a variety of organizations, including local and national governments, public organizations, political parties, and election system integrators. In turn, Sequent is helping to bring the confidence of secure online voting to elections of all sizes and complexities.
Proven success in real-world elections
Sequent’s impact is already evident on a global scale. The platform has been successfully implemented in over 210 elections across various countries and tallied more than 3.2 million votes. Its use has been particularly transformative in regions where traditional voting methods such as mail-in ballots and rural polling stations have posed significant challenges, thereby enhancing participation and making the democratic process more inclusive.
“One of our most crucial projects was integrating our technology with the election systems of a country with a significant rural population, where access to physical polling stations was a major barrier,” Robles shares. “Our platform enabled thousands of citizens to participate in their national election securely and conveniently, many for the first time.”
In another case, Sequent’s technology was used to facilitate a complex electoral process involving hundreds of different ballot styles for a large political party. Despite the logistical challenges, Sequent’s platform ensured the election was conducted smoothly, with full transparency and verifiable results.
Commitment to transparency and collaboration
Beyond its technological innovations, Sequent is committed to transparency and ethical practices. The company collaborates closely with academic institutions and industry experts to continually refine its offerings and stay ahead of the evolving needs of democracies worldwide. This commitment is reflected in Sequent’s open-source development approach, which allows researchers, technologists, and the public to scrutinize and contribute to the platform’s development.
“Our goal is not just to create a product but to foster a movement towards more transparent and accountable democratic processes,” says Bargil. “Every line of code we write, every cryptographic algorithm we implement, is aimed at strengthening the foundations of democracy.”
This open-source approach not only enhances the platform’s security but also builds public trust. It allows independent audits, continuous peer review, and is able to meet the stringent demands of electoral processes.
The future of online voting
As Sequent continues to expand, its founders remain focused on their mission to redefine the landscape of democratic participation. With ongoing partnerships in both public and private sectors, Sequent is poised to support a future where every vote is not only counted but counted correctly, securely, and transparently.
“Online voting is no longer a distant future—it’s a reality we’re shaping today,” says Robles. “Our technology is designed to meet the most rigorous requirements and needs of modern democracies and ensure that every citizen can participate fully and confidently in the electoral process.”
No doubt, election security has become a major talking point in recent years, and Sequent offers a promising path forward that balances the ease of digital access with security and verifiability. This will be especially important as democracies across the globe continue to face new challenges, and for Bargil and Robles, it will safeguard the core values of the democratic process.