Our firm’s attorneys serve as parliamentarians for many of the largest trade and professional associations as well as counsel to many hundreds of community associations (HOA and condominium associations). Given this extensive experience, we are frequently asked to advise on electronic and online voting platforms. These days, deliberative bodies often rely on electronic voting systems to conduct elections and facilitate decision-making, especially when it would be impractical or costly for members to gather in person. Digital voting platforms streamline this process by providing secure, efficient, and user-friendly tools that ensure votes are conducted fairly and transparently.
Voting platforms generally fall into two categories:
- custom-built systems developed in-house, and
- third-party solutions purchased from vendors.
Some organizations create proprietary voting systems to address their unique needs, such as accommodating specific election rules (e.g., shares-based or weighted voting, sometimes with many thousands or millions of votes) or ensuring integration with internal systems. For those who prefer ready-made solutions, there are numerous commercially available platforms designed specifically for nonprofit and corporate elections.
Please note that while we see these platforms as attorneys and parliamentarians, we are not involved in their selection and do not have insight into all features or pricing. Consequently, we can’t recommend which platform might be “best” for a specific organization. Each group has unique needs and circumstances, and choosing the right platform depends on factors such as budget, voting complexity, and organizational objectives.
That said, here are brief descriptions of SOME of the products we see that are available on the market in alphabetical order.
BALLOTpoint
BALLOTpoint highlights its secure voting system, specifically designed for unions, community associations, and large organizations. It offers support for both online and paper ballots, providing flexibility while ensuring legal compliance.
www.ballotpoint.com/
ElectionBuddy
ElectionBuddy emphasizes its straightforward platform, offering customizable ballots, secure voting, and real-time results. It is designed to be user-friendly, cost-effective, and well-suited for small to medium-sized organizations.
https://electionbuddy.com/
ElectionRunner
ElectionRunner focuses on a streamlined design for quick and straightforward elections, providing secure voting links and instant results. It is often regarded as a favorite choice for schools and small organizations.
https://electionrunner.com/
OpaVote
OpaVote emphasizes its flexible and cost-effective voting solutions, supporting ranked-choice voting and various other methods. It positions itself as an excellent choice for small nonprofits and organizations seeking scalable tools.
https://opavote.com/
Simply Voting
Simply Voting highlights its highly secure platform, designed to deliver tamper-proof elections with features like multi-language support and seamless single sign-on (SSO) integration for easy accessibility.
https://www.simplyvoting.com/
Vote HOA Now
Vote HOA Now specializes in HOA elections, offering secure online voting along with tools to help achieve quorum and ensure ballot accountability. It is promoted as an excellent choice for homeowners’ associations.
https://www.votehoanow.com/
YesElections
YesElections (formerly known as Election-America) provides secure and innovative voting solutions tailored to member-based organizations. Their services include online, paper, phone, and hybrid voting methods, all designed to enhance voter engagement and ensure election integrity.
https://www.yeselections.com/
Each of these platforms caters to different organizational needs, from simple HOA elections to large-scale, secure corporate voting. Visit their websites to learn more and determine which one aligns best with your group’s requirements.
Numerous free charts and articles on Robert’s Rules and meeting procedures can be found at www.jimslaughter.com.