Ask HN: Distributed distinct real-life identity

Is there a system or protocol that attempts to solve the problem of verifying distinct real-life identity in a distributed way?

For example, if I wanted to implement a digital voting system I would need to ensure that each person gets at most one vote. Put another way, I need a way to verify that each vote is cast by a different person IRL.

Is there something that attempts to solve this problem without appealing to a central identity verification authority (or some small number of these authorities).