Updated: October 13th, 2026
ElectionBuddy's paper ballots give organizations a way to include voters who prefer or need to vote on paper while still using an online voting platform to manage the election. Paper ballots can be distributed in person or by mail, and they can be combined with electronic ballots in hybrid elections so voters can participate using the method that works best for them.
ElectionBuddy keeps paper and electronic voting within the same election process by using unique voter access keys and preventing more than one ballot submission per voter. This gives organizations greater flexibility while maintaining an organized voting process across different ballot formats.
Each ballot, whether electronic or paper, has a unique access key for each voter. A voter's access key is consistent across different ballot formats. The access key is single-use to only allow one ballot submission per access key.
If a voter votes electronically, and then sends back a paper ballot, the paper ballot cannot be submitted. The opposite is equally true; an electronic vote cannot be cast when a paper ballot has been submitted by the voter.
ElectionBuddy offers multiple notice types, which you can combine to help increase voter engagement. Paper ballots are an accompaniment to the two physical notice forms we offer: printed notices and postal notices.
Printed ballots are available with our Printed Notices and will need to be distributed by you. Postal ballots are available with our Postal Notices and would be distributed by ElectionBuddy on your behalf.
Please note that there are additional postage charges if ElectionBuddy mails the notices and ballots for you.
If you would like ElectionBuddy to send postal notices on your behalf, you have the option to delay the delivery of postal notices and ballots. This allows any voters that also receive email or SMS notice to cast their ballots so they will not be sent the postal ballot.
If you print and mail the notices yourself, you can also delay printing and distributing ballots to give voters an opportunity to cast an electronic ballot.
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