Firewall with Bradley Tusk

A Massive Week for Mobile Voting

Nov 18, 2025
A front-page New York Times story highlights Anchorage's upcoming trial of mobile voting, built on a newly open-sourced project. The discussion dives into how the voting system works, from biometric verification to encrypted ballots. Bradley also proposes using AI to streamline NYC's middle management, potentially saving billions. A gym encounter sparks a deeper conversation about zero-sum versus abundance mindsets and their impact on daily life. The conversation rounds out with reflections on meaningful topics, including a striking obituary and an intriguing art exhibit.
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INSIGHT

Mobile Voting Is Ready To Scale

  • Bradley Tusk argues Anchorage's upcoming phone voting pilot shows mobile voting can be secure and scalable when built and audited properly.
  • He emphasizes open-sourcing the code on GitHub and using expert technologists to build trust and enable wider adoption.
ADVICE

Design Voting Systems For Transparency

  • Make election technology auditable and transparent by open-sourcing code and engaging respected domain experts.
  • Build systems that provide voters verifiable tracking and produce paper backups to preserve trust.
ADVICE

Pair Tech With Outreach And Coalitions

  • Mobilize digital outreach partners and campus networks to drive adoption and support for mobile voting legislation.
  • Coordinate lobbying, coalition-building, and public education alongside technical readiness.
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