# Starknet opens non-binding poll on researching an independent L1

Canonical: https://forkbrief.com/news/222f6193-2859-46f6-93e6-4b7103cc5305
Published: 2026-10-15T13:22:31.944Z
Publisher: Fork Brief

An October 15 Snapshot poll asks STRK holders whether to support research into an independent L1. Voting closes October 22, and the poll does not authorize a network transition.

Starknet opened a non-binding community poll on October 15 asking whether to research becoming an independent layer-1 blockchain. Voting began at 09:32:13 UTC and is scheduled to end at the same time on October 22. The official proposal record listed the poll as active when checked on October 15.

The [Snapshot poll](https://governance.starknet.io/#/s:starknet.eth/proposal/0x31dffc8b6f24c580540cc967fdede3d8e9d513c105d3f699a14ae65bd0dc5d74) offers three choices: support research, oppose research, or remain neutral while seeking more information. Its wording makes a yes vote an expression of support for further study. It does not approve a transition to an L1. Any future decision to proceed would require a dedicated governance process.

An [official forum post](https://community.starknet.io/t/should-starknet-become-an-independent-post-quantum-l1/116392), published on October 15, explains the proposed next steps. A yes result would begin research leading to more detailed proposals and polls. A no result would continue post-quantum work within Starknet’s existing L2 structure. A neutral result would keep the discussion open while unresolved questions are addressed. Results are due to become visible when the poll closes.

The forum describes the research option as an independent post-quantum L1. It follows StarkWare’s October 8 announcement that it was exploring that possibility. The new development is the formal poll on further research, following those earlier statements.

The scheduled close is the next concrete milestone for this ballot. A completed poll, the start of research and a later decision to change the network would be separate events under the process described.

[Cointelegraph’s report](https://cointelegraph.com/news/starknet-vote-ethereum-l2-exit-post-quantum-l1) likewise describes the vote as non-binding and says no timetable for becoming an L1 has been announced. The research decision, any later transition proposal and an eventual deployment remain separate steps.

## Sources

- [Should Starknet become an independent post-quantum L1?](https://community.starknet.io/t/should-starknet-become-an-independent-post-quantum-l1/116392) — Starknet Community Forum
- [Snapshot proposal: Should Starknet become an independent post-quantum L1?](https://hub.snapshot.org/graphql?query=%7B%20proposal%28id%3A%20%220x31dffc8b6f24c580540cc967fdede3d8e9d513c105d3f699a14ae65bd0dc5d74%22%29%20%7B%20id%20title%20body%20choices%20start%20end%20snapshot%20state%20created%20author%20space%20%7B%20id%20name%20%7D%20%7D%20%7D) — Starknet governance / Snapshot
- [Starknet opens vote on potential Ethereum L2 exit over quantum risks](https://cointelegraph.com/news/starknet-vote-ethereum-l2-exit-post-quantum-l1) — Cointelegraph

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