Feature Request: Proof of Participation for Voters

[cqlyj]

Summary:

I propose a new feature of a "Proof of Participation" feature that would provide voters with a NFT or certificate as evidence of their participation in a vote. This feature could enhance engagement by rewarding voters and could be utilized for governance or other incentives within the platform.

Target Contracts:

• SemaphoreClient.sol
• VotingProcess.sol

Functionality:

After a user successfully casts a vote via the SemaphoreClient.sol, the system should generate a proof of participation. This proof could be a non-transferable token or a digital certificate, which would be linked to the user's address and the specific voting event.

Use Case:

• Governance: Participants with proof of participation could have a say in future decisions or proposals.
• Incentives: Proof of participation could be used to claim rewards or benefits, encouraging a higher voter turnout.

Implementation Sketch:

• Add a new event in SemaphoreClient.sol that emits a proof of participation after a vote is cast.
• In VotingProcess.sol, implement a function to record these proofs, ensuring they are non-transferable and securely tied to the voter's identity.
• Consider creating a new interface or contract that handles the generation, assignment, and query of these proofs to keep concerns separated.

Considerations:

• Ensure the proof does not reveal the voter's choice to maintain the privacy of the vote.
• Decide on the format and storage method for these proofs, whether on-chain or off-chain.
• Evaluate the gas implications of this feature and optimize for cost-efficiency.

Next Steps:

I am looking forward to feedback on this new feature. If there is consensus on the value and feasibility of this feature, I would be keen to work on its implementation.

[12sachingupta]

To implement the "Proof of Participation" feature as described, we can follow these steps:

1. Design Proof Generation :

   • Determine the format of the proof (NFT, digital certificate).
   • Ensure that the proof does not reveal the voter's choice to maintain privacy.
   • Decide whether to store the proof on-chain or off-chain.

2. Update SemaphoreClient.sol :

   • Add a new event that emits the proof of participation after a vote is cast.
   • Emit the necessary data for generating the proof, such as the user's address and the voting event details.

3. Update VotingProcess.sol :

   • Implement a function to record the proofs securely.
   • Ensure that the proofs are non-transferable and cannot be altered once generated.
   • Link each proof to the respective voter's address and the specific voting event.

4. Consider Separating Concerns :

   • Create a new interface or contract responsible for generating, assigning, and querying proofs.
   • Keep the concerns separated for better modularity and maintainability.

5. Gas Optimization :

   • Evaluate the gas implications of the feature and optimize for cost-efficiency.
   • Minimize gas costs wherever possible, especially if storing proofs on-chain.

6. Testing and Deployment :

   • Thoroughly test the feature to ensure it functions as expected and does not introduce vulnerabilities.
   • Deploy the updated contracts to the appropriate network, considering factors such as network congestion and transaction fees.

7. Documentation and Feedback :

   • Provide documentation for developers on how to interact with the new feature.
   • Solicit feedback from users and stakeholders to gather insights on the feature's usability and effectiveness.

8. Iterate Based on Feedback:

   • Based on feedback, iterate on the feature implementation to address any issues or suggestions raised.
   • Continuously monitor and maintain the feature to ensure its ongoing effectiveness and security.

By following these steps, we can successfully implement the "Proof of Participation" feature, enhancing engagement and incentivizing participation within the Semaphore platform.