Why DAOs Need to Rethink Public Voting: The Case for Selective Privacy

For over a century, secret ballots have been recognized as key to democratic processes. This concept of secrecy protects against manipulation and pressures voters to act based on their true convictions, not societal expectations or incentives. The same idea drives the initial promise of DAOs – radical transparency and open governance. Yet, this vision is being challenged by the unintended consequences of full public voting. As DAOs evolve and stakes rise, the drawbacks of transparency without privacy become increasingly apparent.