4 Reasons to Upgrade to Online Voting

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen saw the value of investing in an online voting technology company in 2014. Allen is not generally known for making high-risk (or failed) investments, so his stake in building and growing online voting technology was a big vote of confidence that set the stage for innovative leaders to follow suit.

While the United States may have a way to go before we see online voting opportunities for civilians in federal, state and local elections, that time has already arrived for member organizations like associations, cooperatives, credit unions and more.

So, why should your organization invest in online voting and prepare for modern participation methods? Here are four reasons to upgrade to online voting.

Pros of Online Voting:

1. Online Voting Is on the Rise

Thousands of organizations are already safely and successfully utilizing online voting. The momentum behind online voting technology is undeniable, with a rapidly increasing interest. Incorporating online voting into your elections is no longer cutting-edge; it’s becoming the norm. If you’re not preparing for it, you’re already behind the curve.

2. Online Voting Is Efficient and Convenient

Your organization wants and needs to increase voter engagement and participation. When members can securely log on from their computer or mobile device and vote in two minutes or less, your voting process is more effective. Members appreciate convenient options. Fast, frictionless voting inspires greater participation and motivates more members to vote. Online voting is also more accessible to voters, allowing you to reach a larger or more widespread audience.

3. Online Voting Is Safe and Secure

Organizations are apprehensive about the safety and security of online voting. At Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), we can only speak for our industry-leading technology. Here’s how we protect the online elections we manage:

• All voting websites are hosted in a secure server environment.
• We only allow authorized members with unique login and password access to the voting websites.
• Online ballots are transmitted using SSL (aka “bank-level”) encryption technology.
• We deliver passive and active network and security monitoring services to prevent unauthorized access.
• We leverage an enterprise-level data center.

4. Online Voting Has High-Tech Fraud Prevention

Voter fraud is a frequently used buzzword, but online voting prevents duplicate ballots by immediately disabling unique login information once the voter submits their ballot. The system sends an automatic email confirming the vote has been received. The IP addresses of voters are tracked to ensure all votes are legitimate.

Online voting also leverages embedded links, single sign-on (SSO) authentication and unique QR codes. These security features ensure that only authorized members vote and that each member can only vote once.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in online voting and have a few questions? Here are the answers to the ones we hear most.

1. What Is E-Voting?

Electronic or online voting is a method of casting and tallying votes via electronic systems, like mobile devices or computers, rather than conventional paper-based methods. E-voting is seamless, helping your members to vote online without hassle. Online voting speeds up the election process and is more convenient.

2. What Are Electronic Voting Pros and Cons?

Online voting has pros and cons to keep in mind:

• Pros: Online voting with SBS is secure, convenient, accessible, efficient, reliable and cost-effective. You won’t have to spend time and money to design, print, mail and collect ballots or do manual counting. Voting is verified through innovative fraud detection, encryption, and strict security measures. And with online voting being easy for your members, participation increases.
• Cons: Online voting may be challenging for individuals who mistrust technology or aren’t technologically savvy. Besides the extensive security protocols and encryption, some members may still need initial assurance of accuracy. We would like to assure you that we are more than happy to provide resources to your team and members to help them feel confident that our solutions are safe and secure.

3. What Is Self-Service Online Elections?

Self-service online elections enable organizations to leverage innovative DIY software to self-administer voting. These cost-effective, intuitive solutions are perfect for organizations with up to 5,000 registered voters. Other online voting software can accommodate larger voting pools or organizations wanting custom-built platforms.

4. What Makes SBS Online Voting Software the Best?

SBS offers award-winning cloud-based solutions that deliver:

• First-rate experiences: Our software provides excellent administrator and voter experiences.
• Exceptional support: The SBS team offers all the necessary support and resources to streamline the online voting process for you.
• Real-time results: Our DIY platform offers up-to-the-minute visibility and the ability to view voter data instantly.
• Extensive customization: Seamlessly customize the DIY voting platform to meet your organization’s needs.

Contact Us to Learn More About Online Voting

Since 1990, SBS has offered turnkey solutions globally to help organizations plan and execute elections.

If your organization is not yet ready to implement online voting, the time to prepare for that change is now. Update your policies and bylaws on voting participation methods so you’re ready when the time is right.

Contact us today to learn about implementing online voting at your organization, club, association, cooperative or credit union.