Community organizations can transform a group of people with something in common to a thriving, connected group that empowers change. Community organizations are rising in Australia, and as these organizations grow, so do their internal systems. Community organization elections in Australia are pushing towards digital ballots and election marketing, value transparent election practices, and emphasize listening to the community.
Community organizations are groups that aim to improve a community’s social health, well-being, and overall functioning. These organizations can connect people who are in close geographical proximity to one another–such as a local volunteer group–or are connected culturally, politically, or socially.
In this post, we’ll explore the trends in community organization election trends in Australia, ranging from the adoption of association voting software to generating meaningful feedback loops with members.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has shifted towards virtual events and digital processes. Many of the association voting software on the market, like ElectionBuddy, follow common civic organization election regulations. This means these elections can be just as secure and user-friendly as a traditional paper ballot, if not more!
ElectionBuddy uses personal voting keys and 256-bit encryption–the same used by banks–to ensure ballot security. Votes can remain anonymous and elections can be audited with ease on a digital platform. Just because an organization moves to a digital voting platform doesn’t mean it has to sacrifice voter integrity.
Additionally, moving to a digital platform can ultimately save money. Community organizations don’t have to worry about printing costs, renting a space to conduct the election, or postage for mailed ballots.
Digital voting can also increase voter turnout. In many cases, lower participation rates aren’t caused by disinterest; it can be a result of scheduling conflicts, illness, or transportation issues. With digital voting, elections can be more accessible to the community than ever.
More and more community organizations are leveraging digital campaigning for their elections. From social media posts reminding voters to mark their calendars to candidates using online forums or email newsletters to spread their message, Australian community organizations are seeing a major influx in digital election promotions and campaigns.
Community organizations in Australia have found that voters are demanding more transparency from candidates and from election processes. Voters want to know the ins and outs of how candidates are nominated, how they can get their own voices heard, and who counts the ballots and then checks them.
These organizations find that making their elections regulations and bylaws easily accessible helps voters feel more confident, as well as hold elections committees accountable.
In Australia, how community elections work depends on the organization, but elections typically exist to hear community concerns. Many community organizations in Australia are hearing a push for more Indigenous representation and harder stances on environmental and social justice issues. This can include sustainability, climate changes, and cultural preservation.
While elections are one of the primary ways an organization can receive feedback, many ballots are simply ‘check-one-and-done.’ ElectionBuddy allows organizations to customize their ballots to include comments and write-ins, allowing voters to express their thoughts rather than feel confined to a checkbox.
Community organizations in Australia advocate for their respective communities in hopes of making them thrive. These organizations can keep their communities connected with ElectionBuddy’s all-in-one elections software that allows for digital ballots, greater customization capabilities, and so much more. To explore all of ElectionBuddy’s features and learn how it can improve Australian community organization elections, contact our team today for a free demo!
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