Onsite meeting elections continue to be a staple of organizations around the world. Despite remote voting being widely available, onsite voting is still preferred by many, thanks to its ability to foster an atmosphere of cohesion. It also enhances engagement among members due to its more personal nature.
Onsite voting may seem outdated to many. The reality is that technology like in-person or onsite voting software has made onsite voting more convenient and secure than ever. Holding onsite elections effectively comes down to accessibility, simplification, and effective communication.
Accessibility for onsite elections goes far beyond opening a polling location. It means establishing procedures so that every member has an equal opportunity to cast their vote. Part of these procedures requires making sure the voting atmosphere is free from intimidation and interference.
For a truly democratic election, voter privacy is essential. Secret ballots guarantee anonymity and allow a voter to make a choice based on their conscience. This can be accomplished with private voting booths, machines, or online voting software.
Still, voters might require guidance on how to use voting machines and may have questions during the process. Having election workers present can be helpful, doubly so if they are independent of the organization to ensure an unbiased election. All of this increases accessibility—but what about those who are unable to attend?
Even the word ‘onsite’ sounds exclusive rather than inclusive. Just because an election takes place onsite doesn’t mean everyone else is excluded. Physical presence is rarely required for onsite voting. Furthermore, many extenuating circumstances allow people to vote remotely.
Long ago, the absentee ballot became the preferred method of long-distance voting. It worked, but it produced a noticeable delay in the counting and certification process. For modern elections, more efficient methods are needed.
Modern remote voting software has been key to reducing difficulties in the process. However, with each new technology comes its own set of issues. Voting systems need to be intuitive and relatable to the tech we use every day.
One way of accomplishing this is through voting on smartphones and tablets. The best systems are ones that guide the voter through the process at each step—these are intuitive layouts that make it easy for the voter to understand and interact with the system.
Is voting in person more accessible than voting online? Why can’t both be accessible?
Smartphone and tablet voting can be used physically onsite to enhance and simplify the process. There is no need to wait in line if members can vote directly from their seats. It helps to speed up the process and reduce frustrations.
Regardless of the technology, education on its use and procedures are necessary for conducting a pain-free election. To facilitate this, organizations should prepare voters ahead of time on what to expect.
Voter education is critical for informed decisions. Voters should be provided with information far in advance of election day. Details such as who the candidates are, where they stand on issues, and how the voting process works are vital.
An educated voter who understands the candidates and the process is far more likely to participate. Higher levels of voter participation correlate to elected candidates being held accountable.
The communication process doesn’t stop with pre-election information. It needs to continue throughout the voting period and after ballots have been cast. Voters should be able to clearly understand the results of the election and how it was decided.
Transparency is often cited as a key concern among voters who may be skeptical of new technology or voting systems. By communicating with voters at each step of the way, organizations can eliminate many issues and concerns. Before major elections are held, associations can also hold onsite meeting votes to demonstrate the process and foster trust in it.
ElectionBuddy is at the forefront of accessible voting for everyone. Its voting software allows votes to be cast virtually from anywhere. Whether it is in the boardroom or across the country, votes can be held conveniently.
Results are instantaneous and transparent, which helps election processes move faster and reduces the time necessary for audits. ElectionBuddy also has dedicated voting experts standing by to help educate organizations on any procedures that need to be implemented.
Together with ElectionBuddy, organizations of all types can hold quicker, more efficient elections in line with modern standards of election integrity!
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