It’s election season, but organizations have found in recent years that people aren’t turning out to vote. The logistics of the election can feel like a nightmare, and it’s on the leadership and election committee to ensure the election is fair, just, and transparent.
Low voter turnout, logistical problems, and questions of fairness have proven to be among the top challenges traditional organization elections in Australia face. When members aren’t voting or believing in the system at-large, it makes sense why those issues would appear in places like association elections.
To address any of these issues, first, it’s important to know how community elections work in Australia and why they’re important. Just like how traditional organizations choose leaders in Asia, voters tend to show up to vote for a specific candidate they align with or issues that matter to them, especially if they understand how their vote will count.
No matter the level, all elections have their own procedures and bylaws they must follow to remain fair and just. These procedures can vary depending on the organization hosting the election and where they are, but most of the time, an election officer is selected to preside over the process and ensure every rule is followed.
When voters cast their ballots, the selected officer and their committee must count the votes and address any issues that may pop up along the way. These issues could include voter eligibility concerns, ballot issues, or technical difficulties to ensure the process runs smoothly and fairly. Once the votes are counted up–if there are no issues–the winner of that election is determined and verified by the election officer and committee.
Every election needs voters to turn out and make their voices heard. The key is to meet voters where they’re at and there are a number of ways to do this. Increasing awareness, for example, is important to ensuring voters know about your candidate or cause. For example, this can be done through targeted outreach and education campaigns through social media, text, or email. Reaching out to voters can help them understand why their vote matters.
Then, consider how easy it is for them to vote. The more steps a person has to take, the less inclined they are to cast their ballot. By using simple voting methods, like online voting, you can make it easier for people to cast their vote and boost your voter turnout.
Platforms like ElectionBuddy are designed to simplify the process through customizable ballots that can be cast from anywhere at any time during an election period. For busy voters, organizations can send voting reminders and messages directly to their phones and emails to encourage them to show up.
With ElectionBuddy, there are plenty of different voting systems to choose from–including preferential and scored voting. These different methods are all designed to fit different election needs, while also making sure organizations provide a secure and transparent process.
Plus, with built-in tools for voter reminders and detailed reporting, ElectionBuddy enhances participation and accuracy. This makes it a great solution for hosting and managing efficient, reliable elections.
ElectionBuddy simplifies ballot creation, distribution, and collection–which in turn, cuts down on hours of administrative labor and reduces the risk of making mistakes. Making the voting process more accessible is one of the best ways organizations can boost engagement, so more votes can be counted and more voices can be heard. Contact ElectionBuddy today for a free demo!