HOW ON-LINE VOTING WORKS

picture of step by step instructions

A simple explanation of how our on-line voting system works


Step 1: Election Set-Up

With our easy-to-use Ballot setup, your Election Administrator can create a ballot in minutes!

  • Specify the voting period dates, quorum specifications, security options (such as secret ballot or open voting), voter registration preferences (pre-defined voter list vs. self-registration), and voter weighting. (Mouse-Over help is right there)
  • Create Issues. Every ballot consists of issues and answers, even if you're conducting an election and it contains only a single issue, “Choose from this slate of candidates”. Issue types include “Yes/No, Pick one, Choose no more than..., Choose exactly..., Choose at least..., Popularity contest (pick your favorites, in order), and Write-in your own answer”.
  • Create Answers. In many cases, your 'Answers' are actually 'Candidates'. For each issue, insert as many answers/candidates as necessary. Each answer may have a description, an associated profile and/or picture.
  • Pre-Register your Voters Upload a list of eligible voter email addresses. These are only used for security purposes to authenticate your voting members. (see our 'Email Policy')
  • Pay Online When it's time to pay, you may pay with a credit card through PayPal.
  • For those members who do not have internet access, we offer a hybrid voting system to accommodate a combination of paper and online ballots. Hybrid Elections
  • Finally, Get-Out-The-Vote by sending out an email to your members with the link that we provide.

Note: At any time before the election begins, you may edit or change your ballot configuration.


Step 2: Voting

Voters arrive at your branded voting website via the link provided, and their identity is authenticated via email. This allows them to start the voting process for your ballot. When they submit a ballot, their answers are kept safe in our database. The voter has the option of requesting a ballot receipt and a results notification email at the end of the voting period.

Depending on the security level you select, viewing results may range from ‘fully transparent’ (like a-show-of-hands) to ‘anonymous voting’ (nobody knows how the vote is going until it’s over!) You can even specify that voters may or may not change their votes prior to the end of the voting period.


Step 3: Results

Once the voting period has ended, the results are immediately tabulated and emailed to the Vote Administrator. The Vote Administrator can view the Ballot Results along with various stats on your ballot activity.

Quorum results (a count of number of completed ballots) are available throughout the voting period.