So what does one do? You make it clear that if the app fails when it’s needed, the nerds don’t get paid. That simple. You pay out ONLY after election day, based on the contract. Prior to that, you put the money in escrow somewhere. No excuses, the program must run as advertised to get paid.
Not foolproof - but much better than simply trusting young kids from MA to be apolitical.
Not sufficient—way too easy for the other side to outbid with future jobs, etc.. Besides youthful idealism isn’t always tied to financial compensation.