Many Condominiums and Homeowner Associations are looking to implement online voting systems when voting on elections or other important matters. Property managers discovered that implementing electronic voting can serve as a solution for condos/associations that struggle to get quorum. Members cast their votes electronically by using a website or mobile application to vote in elections and other important matters.
Benefits of Using Electronic Voting
One of the main benefits of using electronic voting is that it increases voter participation. As often, when people are given the option to vote online, they are more likely to do so. This is especially true for younger voters who are used to conducting a good portion of their lives through digital mediums.
Members are able to vote at their own convenience, whether it be from the comfort of their own home or on the go. This eliminates the need for members to travel to a physical location to vote, making it more likely for them to participate. Additionally, electronic voting allows for advance voting. Members can vote before the meeting time, which helps with achieving quorum.
Another advantage of electronic voting is that it provides a secure and transparent way to vote. Electronic voting providers use strict security measures to protect against hacking, data breaches, and unauthorized access to voting data. For example, CondoVoter online voting system uses 256-bit encryption to secure your elections. This is the same level of security offered by major banks. The voting process is also transparent, and it provides accurate vote tallies and live quorum counts. This ensures that the voting process is fair and accurate.
Choosing an Electronic Voting Provider For Condo and HOA
With so many electronic voting providers to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your community. Let’s explore the key factors to consider when selecting an electronic voting provider for your Condo or HOA.
Security and Compliance:
Security is of the utmost importance when it comes to electronic voting. The provider you choose should have strict security measures to maintain the integrity of elections and privacy requirements such as the inability to view election results in advance, only until after the voting period has ended should election results be visible. Make sure that the provider is compliant with provincial laws regarding electronic voting.
Intuitive & Friendly interface:
Most e-voting platforms are simple and easy for all members to use, regardless of their technical expertise. The provider should support those who need assistance and ensure that the voting process is accessible to all members.
Easily customizable:
Every community is unique. Therefore, the electronic voting system should be customizable to fit the specific needs of your community. Look for a provider that can tailor the system to your community’s bylaws and regulations.
Technical Support:
A good electronic voting provider should offer comprehensive technical support to ensure that any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. This includes assistance with setup, troubleshooting, and quorum itself.
Cost:
The cost of the electronic voting system is an important factor to consider. Compare the pricing and features of different providers to find one that fits within your budget and provides the necessary features and support for your Condo or HOA.
A Full-service Provider or a Self-served Platform: What to Choose
A full-service electronic voting provider offers a complete package of services for conducting online elections for Condos and HOAs. This includes setting up the voting system, sending out meeting notices and reminders, providing training sessions for panelists, and consolidating and providing accurate vote tallies. This eliminates the need for the organization to handle these tasks on their own, saving them time and effort.
A self-served electronic voting platform, on the other hand, allows organizations to conduct online elections on their own. It’s the most cost-effective way to conduct electronic voting. The main challenge with self-served software is that property managers will have to rely on their own technical expertise or hire a separate technical service provider for any technical support.
One of the main benefits of using a full-service provider is that they have the expertise and experience to handle the technical aspects of the voting process. This includes ensuring that the voting system is secure and compliant. It also includes providing technical support and assistance with troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
Another benefit of using a full-service provider is that they help you get quorum, engage unit owners and ensure that members of the community understand how to vote, which is crucial for the success of the process. With a full-service provider, members will receive clear instructions and support to ensure that they can vote in a hassle-free manner.
So it’s a good idea to use an electronic voting platform for Condos and HOAs that offers an expert setup and assistance so that the voting process is organized and seamless from start to finish.
Find out What Additional Benefits the Vendor Provides
In addition to the support, security, and customization, electronic voting providers can also offer additional benefits to Condos and HOAs.
One such benefit is a referral program. Some electronic voting providers have a referral program in place that rewards current customers for referring new customers. This can be a great way for organizations to save money on their voting services while also helping to spread the word about the provider they trust.
Check if a provider offers a price match guarantee. For example, CondoVoter not only matches the price of any provider that offers comparable service for a lower price but offers an additional 5 % discount. This can be a great way for organizations to ensure that they are getting the best deal possible.
A quorum guarantee is another benefit that electronic voting providers could offer. It gives confidence that quorum will be reached during the voting process. At CondoVoter, if quorum is not met, we re-host the virtual meeting and e-voting at no extra charge until the client gets quorum. This can give organizations peace of mind knowing that the investment in an online voting system will not go wasted.
These are just a few examples of additional services that Condos and HOAs can benefit from. If you are thinking about switching to electronic voting, considering these additional benefits can help to make an informed decision when choosing a provider.
Electronic voting can increase convenience and participation for members, leading to more effective decision-making for the community. At CondoVoter, we have done thousands of meetings and e-voting for condos and HOAs. Check out our 5-star reviews on Capterra.
