Dec 2, 2025

SafeBallot Founders Seek to Change Democracy, One Vote at a Time

SafeBallot began as an idea for the University of San Diego's Fowler Business Concept Challenge. Founders Elijah and Donatella Johnson believed a secure digital voting platform could make participation more accessible while improving transparency and trust. What started as a student competition entry quickly developed into a broader civic-technology venture.
A chance encounter after a San Diego FC match created one of the company's first major opportunities. After meeting the club's chief operating officer outside Snapdragon Stadium, the Johnsons pitched SafeBallot as a way for fans to select the Man of the Match. San Diego FC agreed to a pilot, giving the team a real-world environment in which to test and strengthen its voting engine.
The founders also carried their message into conversations with public leaders. They traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Representatives Latifah Simon and Young Kim about election access and public confidence. Back in San Diego County, San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones publicly supported their work after seeing a live demonstration of the platform.
Community service has remained part of SafeBallot's identity. The company adopted a segment of Interstate 5 near SeaWorld Drive, supported a charity basketball tournament benefiting Streets of Hope San Diego, and created a Youth Leadership Grant that awarded $1,500 to Encanto Elementary School. SafeBallot also represented USD at the Fowler Global Social Innovation Finals in Minneapolis.
For Elijah and Donatella, the long-term goal reaches beyond building software. They see SafeBallot as infrastructure that can help protect each vote, make participation easier, and give people greater confidence in the systems used to make collective decisions.