diff --git a/blockchain/blockchain_test.go b/blockchain/blockchain_test.go
index ec64598180..980acf79aa 100644
--- a/blockchain/blockchain_test.go
+++ b/blockchain/blockchain_test.go
@@ -787,7 +787,6 @@ func TestBlockchainInitialCandidate(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := config.Default
 	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = testTriePath
 	cfg.Chain.ChainDBPath = testDBPath
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
 
 	sf, err := factory.NewFactory(cfg, factory.DefaultTrieOption())
 	require.NoError(err)
@@ -817,7 +816,7 @@ func TestBlockchainInitialCandidate(t *testing.T) {
 	}()
 	candidate, err := sf.CandidatesByHeight(0)
 	require.NoError(err)
-	require.True(len(candidate) == 2)
+	require.Equal(24, len(candidate))
 }
 
 func TestBlockchain_StateByAddr(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 2d2de429a0..227932a2a9 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -97,7 +97,6 @@ var (
 			Address:         "",
 			ProducerPrivKey: PrivateKey.HexString(),
 			EmptyGenesis:    false,
-			NumCandidates:   101,
 			GravityChainDB:  DB{DbPath: "./poll.db", NumRetries: 10},
 			Committee: committee.Config{
 				BeaconChainAPIs: []string{},
@@ -191,7 +190,6 @@ var (
 		ValidateExplorer,
 		ValidateAPI,
 		ValidateActPool,
-		ValidateChain,
 	}
 
 	// PrivateKey is a randomly generated producer's key for testing purpose
@@ -217,7 +215,6 @@ type (
 		Address         string           `yaml:"address"`
 		ProducerPrivKey string           `yaml:"producerPrivKey"`
 		EmptyGenesis    bool             `yaml:"emptyGenesis"`
-		NumCandidates   uint             `yaml:"numCandidates"`
 		GravityChainDB  DB               `yaml:"gravityChainDB"`
 		Committee       committee.Config `yaml:"committee"`
 
@@ -481,14 +478,6 @@ func (cfg Config) ProducerPrivateKey() keypair.PrivateKey {
 	return sk
 }
 
-// ValidateChain validates the chain configure
-func ValidateChain(cfg Config) error {
-	if cfg.Chain.NumCandidates <= 0 {
-		return errors.Wrapf(ErrInvalidCfg, "candidate number should be greater than 0")
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
 // ValidateDispatcher validates the dispatcher configs
 func ValidateDispatcher(cfg Config) error {
 	if cfg.Dispatcher.EventChanSize <= 0 {
diff --git a/config/config_test.go b/config/config_test.go
index 01178ea835..c6fb7b449e 100644
--- a/config/config_test.go
+++ b/config/config_test.go
@@ -160,19 +160,6 @@ func TestValidateExplorer(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 }
 
-func TestValidateChain(t *testing.T) {
-	cfg := Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 0
-
-	err := ValidateChain(cfg)
-	require.Error(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, ErrInvalidCfg, errors.Cause(err))
-	require.True(
-		t,
-		strings.Contains(err.Error(), "candidate number should be greater than 0"),
-	)
-}
-
 func TestValidateDispatcher(t *testing.T) {
 	cfg := Default
 	cfg.Dispatcher.EventChanSize = 0
diff --git a/e2etest/local_test.go b/e2etest/local_test.go
index e52a87986b..18cc3e0fbe 100644
--- a/e2etest/local_test.go
+++ b/e2etest/local_test.go
@@ -8,9 +8,7 @@ package e2etest
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
-	"sort"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
@@ -481,321 +479,6 @@ func TestLocalSync(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Log("4 blocks received correctly")
 }
 
-func TestVoteLocalCommit(t *testing.T) {
-	require := require.New(t)
-
-	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath)
-	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testDBPath)
-
-	cfg, err := newTestConfig()
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
-	require.Nil(err)
-
-	// create node
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	svr, err := itx.NewServer(cfg)
-	require.Nil(err)
-	require.Nil(svr.Start(ctx))
-
-	chainID := cfg.Chain.ID
-	bc := svr.ChainService(chainID).Blockchain()
-	require.NotNil(bc)
-	require.Nil(addTestingTsfBlocks(bc))
-	require.NotNil(svr.ChainService(chainID).ActionPool())
-
-	cfg, err = newTestConfig()
-	require.NoError(err)
-	cfg.Network.BootstrapNodes = []string{svr.P2PAgent().Self()[0].String()}
-	p := p2p.NewAgent(
-		cfg.Network,
-		func(_ context.Context, _ uint32, _ proto.Message) {},
-		func(_ context.Context, _ uint32, _ peerstore.PeerInfo, _ proto.Message) {},
-	)
-	require.NotNil(p)
-	require.NoError(p.Start(ctx))
-
-	defer func() {
-		require.Nil(p.Stop(ctx))
-		require.Nil(svr.Stop(ctx))
-		testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath)
-		testutil.CleanupPath(t, testDBPath)
-	}()
-	require.True(5 == bc.TipHeight())
-
-	// create local chain
-	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath2)
-	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testDBPath2)
-	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = testTriePath2
-	cfg.Chain.ChainDBPath = testDBPath2
-	require.NoError(copyDB(testTriePath, testTriePath2))
-	require.NoError(copyDB(testDBPath, testDBPath2))
-	registry := protocol.Registry{}
-	chain := blockchain.NewBlockchain(
-		cfg,
-		blockchain.DefaultStateFactoryOption(),
-		blockchain.BoltDBDaoOption(),
-		blockchain.RegistryOption(&registry),
-	)
-	rolldposProtocol := rolldpos.NewProtocol(
-		cfg.Genesis.NumCandidateDelegates,
-		cfg.Genesis.NumDelegates,
-		cfg.Genesis.NumSubEpochs,
-	)
-	require.NoError(registry.Register(rolldpos.ProtocolID, rolldposProtocol))
-	rewardingProtocol := rewarding.NewProtocol(chain, rolldposProtocol)
-	registry.Register(rewarding.ProtocolID, rewardingProtocol)
-	acc := account.NewProtocol()
-	registry.Register(account.ProtocolID, acc)
-	chain.Validator().AddActionEnvelopeValidators(protocol.NewGenericValidator(chain, genesis.Default.ActionGasLimit))
-	v := vote.NewProtocol(chain)
-	chain.Validator().AddActionValidators(acc, v, rewardingProtocol)
-	require.NotNil(chain)
-	chain.GetFactory().AddActionHandlers(acc, v, rewardingProtocol)
-	require.NoError(chain.Start(ctx))
-	require.True(5 == bc.TipHeight())
-	defer func() {
-		require.NoError(chain.Stop(ctx))
-		testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath2)
-		testutil.CleanupPath(t, testDBPath2)
-	}()
-
-	_, err = chain.CreateState(ta.Addrinfo["galilei"].String(), unit.ConvertIotxToRau(2000000000))
-	require.NoError(err)
-	_, err = svr.ChainService(chainID).Blockchain().CreateState(ta.Addrinfo["galilei"].String(), unit.ConvertIotxToRau(2000000000))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	fmt.Println(ta.Addrinfo["galilei"].String())
-	// Add block 1
-	// Alfa, Bravo and Charlie selfnomination
-	tsf1, err := testutil.SignedTransfer(ta.Addrinfo["alfa"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["galilei"].PriKey, 1, unit.ConvertIotxToRau(200000000), []byte{}, testutil.TestGasLimit, big.NewInt(testutil.TestGasPrice))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	tsf2, err := testutil.SignedTransfer(ta.Addrinfo["bravo"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["galilei"].PriKey, 2, unit.ConvertIotxToRau(200000000), []byte{}, testutil.TestGasLimit, big.NewInt(testutil.TestGasPrice))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	tsf3, err := testutil.SignedTransfer(ta.Addrinfo["charlie"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["galilei"].PriKey, 3, unit.ConvertIotxToRau(200000000), []byte{}, testutil.TestGasLimit, big.NewInt(testutil.TestGasPrice))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	tsf4, err := testutil.SignedTransfer(ta.Addrinfo["delta"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["galilei"].PriKey, 4, unit.ConvertIotxToRau(200000000), []byte{}, testutil.TestGasLimit, big.NewInt(testutil.TestGasPrice))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	vote1, err := testutil.SignedVote(ta.Addrinfo["alfa"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["alfa"].PriKey, 1, 100000, big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	vote2, err := testutil.SignedVote(ta.Addrinfo["bravo"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["bravo"].PriKey, 1, 100000, big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	vote3, err := testutil.SignedVote(ta.Addrinfo["charlie"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["charlie"].PriKey, 6, 100000, big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	act1 := vote1.Proto()
-	act2 := vote2.Proto()
-	act3 := vote3.Proto()
-	acttsf1 := tsf1.Proto()
-	acttsf2 := tsf2.Proto()
-	acttsf3 := tsf3.Proto()
-	acttsf4 := tsf4.Proto()
-
-	p2pCtx := p2p.WitContext(ctx, p2p.Context{ChainID: cfg.Chain.ID})
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act1); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act2); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act3); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, acttsf1); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, acttsf2); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, acttsf3); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, acttsf4); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		acts := svr.ChainService(chainID).ActionPool().PendingActionMap()
-		return lenPendingActionMap(acts) == 7, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-
-	actionMap := svr.ChainService(chainID).ActionPool().PendingActionMap()
-	blk1, err := chain.MintNewBlock(
-		actionMap,
-		0,
-	)
-	require.Nil(err)
-	require.Nil(chain.ValidateBlock(blk1))
-	require.Nil(chain.CommitBlock(blk1))
-
-	require.NoError(p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, blk1.ConvertToBlockPb()))
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		height := bc.TipHeight()
-		return int(height) == 6, nil
-	})
-	require.NoError(err)
-	tipheight := bc.TipHeight()
-	require.Equal(6, int(tipheight))
-
-	// Add block 2
-	// Vote A -> B, C -> A
-	vote4, err := testutil.SignedVote(ta.Addrinfo["bravo"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["alfa"].PriKey, uint64(2), uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.Nil(err)
-	vote5, err := testutil.SignedVote(ta.Addrinfo["alfa"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["charlie"].PriKey, uint64(7), uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.Nil(err)
-
-	actionMap = make(map[string][]action.SealedEnvelope)
-	actionMap[ta.Addrinfo["alfa"].String()] = []action.SealedEnvelope{vote4}
-	actionMap[ta.Addrinfo["charlie"].String()] = []action.SealedEnvelope{vote5}
-	blk2, err := chain.MintNewBlock(
-		actionMap,
-		0,
-	)
-	require.Nil(err)
-	require.Nil(chain.ValidateBlock(blk2))
-	require.Nil(chain.CommitBlock(blk2))
-	// broadcast to P2P
-	act4 := vote4.Proto()
-	act5 := vote5.Proto()
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act4); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act5); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		acts := svr.ChainService(chainID).ActionPool().PendingActionMap()
-		return lenPendingActionMap(acts) == 2, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-
-	require.NoError(p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, blk2.ConvertToBlockPb()))
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		height := bc.TipHeight()
-		return int(height) == 7, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-	tipheight = bc.TipHeight()
-	require.Equal(7, int(tipheight))
-
-	candidates, err := bc.CandidatesByHeight(tipheight)
-	require.NoError(err)
-	candidatesAddr := make([]string, len(candidates))
-	for i, can := range candidates {
-		candidatesAddr[i] = can.Address
-	}
-	require.Equal(2, len(candidates))
-
-	sort.Sort(sort.StringSlice(candidatesAddr))
-	require.Equal(ta.Addrinfo["alfa"].String(), candidatesAddr[0])
-	require.Equal(ta.Addrinfo["bravo"].String(), candidatesAddr[1])
-
-	// Add block 3
-	// D self nomination
-	vote6, err := testutil.SignedVote(ta.Addrinfo["delta"].String(), ta.Keyinfo["delta"].PriKey, 5, 100000, big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	actionMap = make(map[string][]action.SealedEnvelope)
-	actionMap[ta.Addrinfo["delta"].String()] = []action.SealedEnvelope{vote6}
-	blk3, err := chain.MintNewBlock(
-		actionMap,
-		0,
-	)
-	require.Nil(err)
-	require.Nil(chain.ValidateBlock(blk3))
-	require.Nil(chain.CommitBlock(blk3))
-	// broadcast to P2P
-	act6 := vote6.Proto()
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act6); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		acts := svr.ChainService(chainID).ActionPool().PendingActionMap()
-		return lenPendingActionMap(acts) == 1, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-
-	err = p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, blk3.ConvertToBlockPb())
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		height := bc.TipHeight()
-		return int(height) == 8, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-	tipheight = bc.TipHeight()
-	require.Equal(8, int(tipheight))
-
-	candidates, err = bc.CandidatesByHeight(tipheight)
-	require.NoError(err)
-	candidatesAddr = make([]string, len(candidates))
-	for i, can := range candidates {
-		candidatesAddr[i] = can.Address
-	}
-	require.Equal(2, len(candidates))
-
-	sort.Sort(sort.StringSlice(candidatesAddr))
-	require.Equal(ta.Addrinfo["delta"].String(), candidatesAddr[0])
-	require.Equal(ta.Addrinfo["bravo"].String(), candidatesAddr[1])
-
-	// Add block 4
-	// Unvote B
-	vote7, err := action.NewVote(uint64(2), "", uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(err)
-	bd := &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp := bd.SetAction(vote7).SetNonce(2).SetGasLimit(100000).SetGasPrice(big.NewInt(0)).Build()
-	selp, err := action.Sign(elp, ta.Keyinfo["bravo"].PriKey)
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	actionMap = make(map[string][]action.SealedEnvelope)
-	actionMap[ta.Addrinfo["bravo"].String()] = []action.SealedEnvelope{selp}
-	blk4, err := chain.MintNewBlock(
-		actionMap,
-		0,
-	)
-	require.Nil(err)
-	require.Nil(chain.ValidateBlock(blk4))
-	require.Nil(chain.CommitBlock(blk4))
-	// broadcast to P2P
-	act7 := selp.Proto()
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		if err := p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, act7); err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		acts := svr.ChainService(chainID).ActionPool().PendingActionMap()
-		return lenPendingActionMap(acts) == 1, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-
-	err = p.BroadcastOutbound(p2pCtx, blk4.ConvertToBlockPb())
-	require.NoError(err)
-
-	err = testutil.WaitUntil(100*time.Millisecond, 60*time.Second, func() (bool, error) {
-		height := bc.TipHeight()
-		return int(height) == 9, nil
-	})
-	require.Nil(err)
-	tipheight = bc.TipHeight()
-	require.Equal(9, int(tipheight))
-
-	candidates, err = bc.CandidatesByHeight(tipheight)
-	require.NoError(err)
-	candidatesAddr = make([]string, len(candidates))
-	for i, can := range candidates {
-		candidatesAddr[i] = can.Address
-	}
-	require.Equal(2, len(candidates))
-
-	sort.Sort(sort.StringSlice(candidatesAddr))
-	require.Equal(ta.Addrinfo["delta"].String(), candidatesAddr[0])
-	require.Equal(ta.Addrinfo["alfa"].String(), candidatesAddr[1])
-}
-
 func TestStartExistingBlockchain(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 	ctx := context.Background()
diff --git a/state/factory/factory.go b/state/factory/factory.go
index 160c3c90ff..0fa666448c 100644
--- a/state/factory/factory.go
+++ b/state/factory/factory.go
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@ type (
 		lifecycle          lifecycle.Lifecycle
 		mutex              sync.RWMutex
 		currentChainHeight uint64
-		numCandidates      uint
 		accountTrie        trie.Trie                // global state trie
 		dao                db.KVStore               // the underlying DB for account/contract storage
 		actionHandlers     []protocol.ActionHandler // the handlers to handle actions
@@ -115,7 +114,6 @@ func InMemTrieOption() Option {
 func NewFactory(cfg config.Config, opts ...Option) (Factory, error) {
 	sf := &factory{
 		currentChainHeight: 0,
-		numCandidates:      cfg.Chain.NumCandidates,
 	}
 
 	for _, opt := range opts {
@@ -294,9 +292,6 @@ func (sf *factory) CandidatesByHeight(height uint64) ([]*state.Candidate, error)
 	)
 	if errors.Cause(err) == nil {
 		if len(candidates) > 0 {
-			if len(candidates) > int(sf.numCandidates) {
-				candidates = candidates[:sf.numCandidates]
-			}
 			return candidates, nil
 		}
 		err = state.ErrStateNotExist
diff --git a/state/factory/factory_test.go b/state/factory/factory_test.go
index b6325a1171..65d31e5cc7 100644
--- a/state/factory/factory_test.go
+++ b/state/factory/factory_test.go
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+
+	"github.com/iotexproject/iotex-core/action/protocol/vote/candidatesutil"
+	"github.com/iotexproject/iotex-core/test/identityset"
+
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
@@ -50,22 +55,6 @@ func randStringRunes(n int) string {
 	return string(b)
 }
 
-func compareStrings(actual []string, expected []string) bool {
-	act := make(map[string]bool)
-	for i := 0; i < len(actual); i++ {
-		act[actual[i]] = true
-	}
-
-	for i := 0; i < len(expected); i++ {
-		if _, ok := act[expected[i]]; ok {
-			delete(act, expected[i])
-		} else {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-	return len(act) == 0
-}
-
 func voteForm(height uint64, cs []*state.Candidate) []string {
 	r := make([]string, len(cs))
 	for i := 0; i < len(cs); i++ {
@@ -159,663 +148,35 @@ func testSnapshot(ws WorkingSet, t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCandidates(t *testing.T) {
-	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath)
-	defer testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath)
 	cfg := config.Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
-	cfg.DB.DbPath = testTriePath
-	sf, err := NewFactory(cfg, PrecreatedTrieDBOption(db.NewOnDiskDB(cfg.DB)))
+	sf, err := NewFactory(cfg, InMemTrieOption())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	testCandidates(sf, t, true)
+	testCandidates(sf, t)
 }
 
 func TestSDBCandidates(t *testing.T) {
-	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testStateDBPath)
-	defer testutil.CleanupPath(t, testStateDBPath)
 	cfg := config.Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
-	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = testStateDBPath
-	sdb, err := NewStateDB(cfg, DefaultStateDBOption())
+	sdb, err := NewStateDB(cfg, InMemStateDBOption())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	testCandidates(sdb, t, false)
-}
-
-func candidatesByHeight(sf Factory, height uint64) ([]*state.Candidate, error) {
-	for {
-		candidates, err := sf.CandidatesByHeight(height)
-		if err == nil {
-			return candidates, err
-		}
-		if height == 0 {
-			return nil, errors.New("not found")
-		}
-		height--
-	}
+	testCandidates(sdb, t)
 }
 
-func testCandidates(sf Factory, t *testing.T, checkStateRoot bool) {
-
-	// Create three dummy iotex addresses
-	a := testaddress.Addrinfo["alfa"].String()
-	priKeyA := testaddress.Keyinfo["alfa"].PriKey
-	b := testaddress.Addrinfo["bravo"].String()
-	priKeyB := testaddress.Keyinfo["bravo"].PriKey
-	c := testaddress.Addrinfo["charlie"].String()
-	priKeyC := testaddress.Keyinfo["charlie"].PriKey
-	d := testaddress.Addrinfo["delta"].String()
-	priKeyD := testaddress.Keyinfo["delta"].PriKey
-	e := testaddress.Addrinfo["echo"].String()
-	priKeyE := testaddress.Keyinfo["echo"].PriKey
-	f := testaddress.Addrinfo["foxtrot"].String()
-	priKeyF := testaddress.Keyinfo["foxtrot"].PriKey
-
-	sf.AddActionHandlers(account.NewProtocol(), vote.NewProtocol(nil))
-	require.NoError(t, sf.Start(context.Background()))
-	defer func() {
-		require.NoError(t, sf.Stop(context.Background()))
-	}()
+func testCandidates(sf Factory, t *testing.T) {
 	ws, err := sf.NewWorkingSet()
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, a, big.NewInt(100))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, b, big.NewInt(200))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, c, big.NewInt(300))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, d, big.NewInt(100))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, e, big.NewInt(100))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, f, big.NewInt(300))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	// a:100(0) b:200(0) c:300(0)
-	tx1, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(1), big.NewInt(10), b, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	bd := &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp := bd.SetNonce(1).SetAction(tx1).Build()
-	selp1, err := action.Sign(elp, priKeyA)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	tx2, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(2), big.NewInt(20), c, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetNonce(2).SetAction(tx2).Build()
-	selp2, err := action.Sign(elp, priKeyA)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	gasLimit := uint64(1000000)
-	raCtx := protocol.RunActionsCtx{
-		Producer: testaddress.Addrinfo["producer"],
-		GasLimit: gasLimit,
-	}
-	ctx := protocol.WithRunActionsCtx(context.Background(), raCtx)
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 0, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp1, selp2})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	balanceB, err := sf.Balance(b)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, balanceB, big.NewInt(210))
-	balanceC, err := sf.Balance(c)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, balanceC, big.NewInt(320))
-	h, _ := sf.Height()
-	cand, _ := sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{}))
-	// a:70 b:210 c:320
-
-	vote, err := action.NewVote(0, a, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote).SetGasLimit(20000).Build()
-	selp, err := action.Sign(elp, priKeyA)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	zeroGasLimit := uint64(0)
-	zctx := protocol.WithRunActionsCtx(context.Background(),
-		protocol.RunActionsCtx{
-			Producer: testaddress.Addrinfo["producer"],
-			GasLimit: zeroGasLimit,
-		})
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(zctx, 0, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.NotNil(t, err)
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	newRoot := ws.UpdateBlockLevelInfo(0)
-	if checkStateRoot {
-		require.NotEqual(t, hash.ZeroHash256, newRoot)
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":70"}))
-	// a(a):70(+0=70) b:210 c:320
-
-	vote2, err := action.NewVote(0, b, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote2).SetGasLimit(20000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	newRoot = ws.UpdateBlockLevelInfo(1)
-	if checkStateRoot {
-		require.NotEqual(t, hash.ZeroHash256, newRoot)
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":70", b + ":210"}))
-	// a(a):70(+0=70) b(b):210(+0=210) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote3, err := action.NewVote(1, b, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote3).SetNonce(1).SetGasLimit(20000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyA)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	newRoot = ws.UpdateBlockLevelInfo(2)
-	if checkStateRoot {
-		require.NotEqual(t, hash.ZeroHash256, newRoot)
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":0", b + ":280"}))
-	// a(b):70(0) b(b):210(+70=280) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx3, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(2), big.NewInt(20), a, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx3).SetNonce(2).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	newRoot = ws.UpdateBlockLevelInfo(3)
-	if checkStateRoot {
-		require.NotEqual(t, hash.ZeroHash256, newRoot)
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":0", b + ":280"}))
-	// a(b):90(0) b(b):190(+90=280) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx4, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(2), big.NewInt(20), b, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx4).SetNonce(2).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyA)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	newRoot = ws.UpdateBlockLevelInfo(4)
-	if checkStateRoot {
-		require.NotEqual(t, hash.ZeroHash256, newRoot)
-	}
+	require.NoError(t, candidatesutil.LoadAndAddCandidates(ws, 1, identityset.Address(0).String()))
+	require.NoError(t, candidatesutil.LoadAndUpdateCandidates(ws, 1, identityset.Address(0).String(), big.NewInt(0)))
+	require.NoError(t, candidatesutil.LoadAndAddCandidates(ws, 1, identityset.Address(1).String()))
+	require.NoError(t, candidatesutil.LoadAndUpdateCandidates(ws, 1, identityset.Address(1).String(), big.NewInt(1)))
 	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":0", b + ":280"}))
-	// a(b):70(0) b(b):210(+70=280) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote4, err := action.NewVote(1, a, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote4).SetNonce(1).SetGasLimit(20000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 5, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":210", b + ":70"}))
-	// a(b):70(210) b(a):210(70) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote5, err := action.NewVote(2, b, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote5).SetNonce(2).SetGasLimit(20000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 6, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":0", b + ":280"}))
-	// a(b):70(0) b(b):210(+70=280) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote6, err := action.NewVote(3, b, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote6).SetNonce(3).SetGasLimit(20000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 7, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":0", b + ":280"}))
-	// a(b):70(0) b(b):210(+70=280) !c:320
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx5, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(2), big.NewInt(20), a, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx5).SetNonce(2).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 8, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":0", b + ":300"}))
-	// a(b):90(0) b(b):210(+90=300) !c:300
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote7, err := action.NewVote(0, a, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote7).SetNonce(0).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 9, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":300", b + ":300"}))
-	// a(b):90(300) b(b):210(+90=300) !c(a):300
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote8, err := action.NewVote(4, c, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote8).SetNonce(4).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 10, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":300", b + ":90"}))
-	// a(b):90(300) b(c):210(90) !c(a):300
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote9, err := action.NewVote(1, c, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote9).SetNonce(1).
-		SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 11, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":510", b + ":90"}))
-	// a(b):90(0) b(c):210(90) c(c):300(+210=510)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote10, err := action.NewVote(0, e, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote10).SetNonce(0).
-		SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyD)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 12, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":510", b + ":90"}))
-	// a(b):90(0) b(c):210(90) c(c):300(+210=510)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote11, err := action.NewVote(1, d, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote11).SetNonce(1).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyD)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 13, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":510", d + ":100"}))
-	// a(b):90(0) b(c):210(90) c(c):300(+210=510) d(d): 100(100)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote12, err := action.NewVote(2, a, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote12).SetNonce(2).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyD)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 14, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":510", a + ":100"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):210(90) c(c):300(+210=510) d(a): 100(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote13, err := action.NewVote(2, d, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote13).SetNonce(2).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 15, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":210", d + ":300"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):210(90) c(d):300(210) d(a): 100(300)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote14, err := action.NewVote(3, c, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote14).SetNonce(3).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 16, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":510", a + ":100"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):210(90) c(c):300(+210=510) d(a): 100(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx6, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(1), big.NewInt(200), e, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx6).SetNonce(1).Build()
-	selp1, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	tx7, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(2), big.NewInt(200), e, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx7).SetNonce(2).Build()
-	selp2, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 17, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp1, selp2})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":110", a + ":100"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):10(90) c(c):100(+10=110) d(a): 100(0) !e:500
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote15, err := action.NewVote(0, e, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote15).SetNonce(0).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyE)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 18, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":110", e + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):10(90) c(c):100(+10=110) d(a): 100(0) e(e):500(+0=500)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote16, err := action.NewVote(0, f, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote16).SetNonce(0).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyF)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 19, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{f + ":300", e + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):10(90) c(c):100(+10=110) d(a): 100(0) e(e):500(+0=500) f(f):300(+0=300)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote17, err := action.NewVote(0, d, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote17).SetNonce(0).
-		SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp1, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyF)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	vote18, err := action.NewVote(1, d, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote18).SetNonce(1).
-		SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp2, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyF)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp1)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	_, err = ws.RunAction(raCtx, selp2)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	newRoot = ws.UpdateBlockLevelInfo(20)
-	if checkStateRoot {
-		require.NotEqual(t, hash.ZeroHash256, newRoot)
-	}
-	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{d + ":300", e + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):10(90) c(c):100(+10=110) d(a): 100(300) e(e):500(+0=500) f(d):300(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx8, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(1), big.NewInt(200), b, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx8).SetNonce(1).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyF)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 21, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":310", e + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):90(100) b(c):210(90) c(c):100(+210=310) d(a): 100(100) e(e):500(+0=500) f(d):100(0)
-	//fmt.Printf("%v \n", voteForm(sf.candidatesBuffer()))
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx9, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(1), big.NewInt(10), a, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx9).SetNonce(1).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyB)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 22, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":300", e + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):100(100) b(c):200(100) c(c):100(+200=300) d(a): 100(100) e(e):500(+0=500) f(d):100(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	tx10, err := action.NewTransfer(uint64(1), big.NewInt(300), d, nil, uint64(0), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(tx10).SetNonce(1).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyE)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 23, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, err = sf.Height()
-	require.Equal(t, uint64(23), h)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":300", a + ":400"}))
-	// a(b):100(400) b(c):200(100) c(c):100(+200=300) d(a): 400(100) e(e):200(+0=200) f(d):100(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote19, err := action.NewVote(0, a, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote19).SetNonce(0).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp1, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyD)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	vote20, err := action.NewVote(3, b, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote20).SetNonce(3).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp2, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyD)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 24, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp1, selp2})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, err = sf.Height()
-	require.Equal(t, uint64(24), h)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{c + ":300", b + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):100(0) b(c):200(500) c(c):100(+200=300) d(b): 400(100) e(e):200(+0=200) f(d):100(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote21, err := action.NewVote(4, "", uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote21).SetNonce(4).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyC)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 25, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	require.Equal(t, uint64(25), h)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{e + ":200", b + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):100(0) b(c):200(500) [c(c):100(+200=300)] d(b): 400(100) e(e):200(+0=200) f(d):100(0)
-
-	ws, err = sf.NewWorkingSet()
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	vote22, err := action.NewVote(4, "", uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	bd = &action.EnvelopeBuilder{}
-	elp = bd.SetAction(vote22).SetNonce(4).SetGasLimit(100000).Build()
-	selp, err = action.Sign(elp, priKeyF)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-
-	_, err = ws.RunActions(ctx, 26, []action.SealedEnvelope{selp})
-	require.Nil(t, err)
-	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
-	h, _ = sf.Height()
-	require.Equal(t, uint64(26), h)
-	require.NoError(t, err)
-	cand, _ = candidatesByHeight(sf, h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{e + ":200", b + ":500"}))
-	// a(b):100(0) b(c):200(500) [c(c):100(+200=300)] d(b): 400(100) e(e):200(+0=200) f(d):100(0)
-	stateA, err := accountutil.LoadOrCreateAccount(ws, a, big.NewInt(0))
+	candidates, err := sf.CandidatesByHeight(1)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
-	require.Equal(t, stateA.Balance, big.NewInt(100))
+	require.Equal(t, 2, len(candidates))
+	assert.Equal(t, candidates[0].Address, identityset.Address(1).String())
+	assert.Equal(t, candidates[0].Votes, big.NewInt(1))
+	assert.Equal(t, candidates[1].Address, identityset.Address(0).String())
+	assert.Equal(t, candidates[1].Votes, big.NewInt(0))
 }
 
 func TestState(t *testing.T) {
@@ -834,7 +195,6 @@ func TestSDBState(t *testing.T) {
 	defer testutil.CleanupPath(t, testStateDBPath)
 
 	cfg := config.Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
 	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = testStateDBPath
 	sdb, err := NewStateDB(cfg, DefaultStateDBOption())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -875,7 +235,7 @@ func testState(sf Factory, t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, sf.Commit(ws))
 	h, _ := sf.Height()
 	cand, _ := sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":100"}))
+	require.Equal(t, voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":100"})
 	// a(a):100(+0=100) b:200 c:300
 
 	//test AccountState() & State()
@@ -907,7 +267,6 @@ func TestSDBNonce(t *testing.T) {
 	defer testutil.CleanupPath(t, testStateDBPath)
 
 	cfg := config.Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
 	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = testStateDBPath
 	sdb, err := NewStateDB(cfg, DefaultStateDBOption())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -970,7 +329,6 @@ func TestUnvote(t *testing.T) {
 	defer testutil.CleanupPath(t, testTriePath)
 
 	cfg := config.Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
 	cfg.DB.DbPath = testTriePath
 	f, err := NewFactory(cfg, PrecreatedTrieDBOption(db.NewOnDiskDB(cfg.DB)))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -981,7 +339,6 @@ func TestSDBUnvote(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.CleanupPath(t, testStateDBPath)
 	defer testutil.CleanupPath(t, testStateDBPath)
 	cfg := config.Default
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = 2
 	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = testStateDBPath
 	sdb, err := NewStateDB(cfg, DefaultStateDBOption())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -1026,7 +383,7 @@ func testUnvote(sf Factory, t *testing.T) {
 	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
 	h, _ := sf.Height()
 	cand, _ := sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{}))
+	require.Equal(t, voteForm(h, cand), []string{})
 
 	vote2, err := action.NewVote(0, a, uint64(100000), big.NewInt(0))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -1041,7 +398,7 @@ func testUnvote(sf Factory, t *testing.T) {
 	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
 	h, _ = sf.Height()
 	cand, _ = sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":100"}))
+	require.Equal(t, voteForm(h, cand), []string{a + ":100"})
 
 	vote3, err := action.NewVote(0, "", uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -1056,7 +413,7 @@ func testUnvote(sf Factory, t *testing.T) {
 	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
 	h, _ = sf.Height()
 	cand, _ = sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{}))
+	require.Equal(t, voteForm(h, cand), []string{})
 
 	vote4, err := action.NewVote(0, b, uint64(20000), big.NewInt(0))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -1087,7 +444,7 @@ func testUnvote(sf Factory, t *testing.T) {
 	require.Nil(t, sf.Commit(ws))
 	h, _ = sf.Height()
 	cand, _ = sf.CandidatesByHeight(h)
-	require.True(t, compareStrings(voteForm(h, cand), []string{b + ":200"}))
+	require.Equal(t, voteForm(h, cand), []string{b + ":200"})
 }
 
 func TestLoadStoreHeight(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/state/factory/statedb.go b/state/factory/statedb.go
index 031b4a1372..5e649dae0c 100644
--- a/state/factory/statedb.go
+++ b/state/factory/statedb.go
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ import (
 type stateDB struct {
 	mutex              sync.RWMutex
 	currentChainHeight uint64
-	numCandidates      uint
 	dao                db.KVStore               // the underlying DB for account/contract storage
 	actionHandlers     []protocol.ActionHandler // the handlers to handle actions
 	timerFactory       *prometheustimer.TimerFactory
@@ -66,7 +65,6 @@ func InMemStateDBOption() StateDBOption {
 func NewStateDB(cfg config.Config, opts ...StateDBOption) (Factory, error) {
 	sdb := stateDB{
 		currentChainHeight: 0,
-		numCandidates:      cfg.Chain.NumCandidates,
 	}
 
 	for _, opt := range opts {
@@ -208,9 +206,6 @@ func (sdb *stateDB) CandidatesByHeight(height uint64) ([]*state.Candidate, error
 	)
 	if errors.Cause(err) == nil {
 		if len(candidates) > 0 {
-			if len(candidates) > int(sdb.numCandidates) {
-				candidates = candidates[:sdb.numCandidates]
-			}
 			return candidates, nil
 		}
 		err = state.ErrStateNotExist
diff --git a/tools/minicluster/minicluster.go b/tools/minicluster/minicluster.go
index 8bd5d60383..a46f0e753d 100644
--- a/tools/minicluster/minicluster.go
+++ b/tools/minicluster/minicluster.go
@@ -272,7 +272,6 @@ func newConfig(
 	cfg.Chain.ID = 1
 	cfg.Chain.ChainDBPath = chainDBPath
 	cfg.Chain.TrieDBPath = trieDBPath
-	cfg.Chain.NumCandidates = numNodes
 	cfg.Chain.CompressBlock = true
 	cfg.Chain.ProducerPrivKey = producerPriKey.HexString()