Blockchain Voting System

A decentralized blockchain-based voting system built with React (frontend) and Node.js (backend). This system ensures transparency and integrity while providing privacy-enhanced voting options. The application includes live updates via Socket.IO and features such as token-based rewards for voters.

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Features

• Real-Time Updates: Votes and rewards update live using WebSocket connections.
• Blockchain-Backed: Votes are recorded immutably on a blockchain to ensure integrity.
• Token Rewards: Voters earn tokens for participating in elections, which they can redeem for rewards.
• Dashboard Overview: Admins can view participants, votes, rewards, and blockchain details.
• User Privacy: Built with considerations for enhancing voter privacy using cryptographic methods.
• Resettable State: Navigate to /reset to completely reset the blockchain.

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Tech Stack

Frontend

• React (React Router for navigation)
• Vite (for faster development builds)

Backend

• Node.js
• Express.js
• Socket.IO (for real-time updates)

Blockchain

• Custom Blockchain Implementation

Hosting

• Frontend: Netlify
• Backend: Render (or optionally hosted locally via Ngrok for testing)

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Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v14+ recommended)
• npm
• Git

Installation

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/tvan04/blockchain-voting.git
cd blockchain-voting-system

Install Dependencies

# Install backend dependencies
cd server
npm install

# Install frontend dependencies
cd ../client
npm install

Running Locally (the code is currently set up for deployment, so you will have to change socket link to http://localhost:4000 in the component files)

Start the Backend

cd server
node index.js

The backend server will start on http://localhost:4000.

Start the Frontend

cd client
npm run dev

The frontend development server will start on http://localhost:5173.

Deployment

Frontend Deployment (Netlify)

1. Run the build command:

   npm run build

2. Upload the dist folder to Netlify.
3. Add a _redirects file to the dist folder with the following content:

   /*    /index.html   200
   

Backend Deployment (Render)

1. Create a Web Service on Render.
2. Set the following settings:
   • Build Command: Leave empty
   • Start Command: node server.js.

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Project Structure

blockchain-voting-system/
├── server/
│   ├── index.js          # Main backend server
│   ├── blockchain.js      # Blockchain implementation
│   └── package.json       # Backend dependencies
├── client/
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── components/    # React components (Dashboard, Voting, etc.)
│   │   ├── App.jsx        # Main application entry point
│   │   └── main.jsx       # ReactDOM rendering
│   ├── public/            # Static assets
│   ├── dist/              # Production build folder (after `npm run build`)
│   └── package.json       # Frontend dependencies
└── README.md

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API Endpoints

Backend Routes

GET /checkAddress

• Query Parameters:
  • name (string) - The name of the user.
• Response:
  • 200 OK: Returns the address corresponding to the given name.
  • 404 Not Found: If no user matches the given name.

WebSocket Events

join

• Description: Allows a user to join the system by providing their name and address.
• Data:

  {
    "name": "string",
    "address": "string"
  }

vote

• Description: Records a user's vote and rewards tokens.
• Data:

  {
    "name": "string",
    "address": "string",
    "vote": "string"
  }

spendTokens

• Description: Deducts tokens from a user's balance to redeem a reward.
• Data:

  {
    "address": "string",
    "cost": "number",
    "reward": "string"
  }

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Future Enhancements

• Integrate Zero-Knowledge Proofs for private voting.
• Add role-based authentication for admin and users.
• Improve UI/UX for better accessibility and responsiveness.
• Add support for multiple elections.

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License

MIT License

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Contributors

• Tristan Van