Small group elections in the time of COVID

November 11, 2021 2:23 PM

How are small groups running elections these days now that so much is virtual? I'm on the board of a slightly dysfunctional Friends of ____ Park group and volunteered to help plan our elections. As a bonus, we're going through some growing pains and elections could be contentious. Vote padding is a real concern.
posted by sepviva to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

It’s probably fairly reasonable to have a masked in person voting session. Even more if you have a vaccination requirement for this meeting or since you are a park group, just hold it outside!

Hi friends! We will be having a recorded zoom meeting on Wednesday evening where candidates will present their platforms. Voting will be at the Park Pavilion from 2-6 on Saturday.
posted by rockindata at 2:31 PM on November 11, 2021

I have run elections using Opavote. It is quite flexible in terms of voting method (traditional, ranked-choice, STV, etc.) and it allows you to send a single-use link to each person who is allowed to vote. You can also set up a "console" mode so that folks without email access can walk up to a computer and vote in person instead.
posted by juliapangolin at 2:34 PM on November 11, 2021 [1 favorite]

My union has been using Election Buddy.
posted by Mavri at 5:01 PM on November 11, 2021

Seconding OpaVote. They make the process transparent, and have many safeguards against vote dishonesty
posted by scruss at 7:02 PM on November 11, 2021

I suggest in-person. Even if the vote is honest and accurate using an app of some kind, third-party witnessed in-person voting, and an in-person witnessed vote count will help alleviate the fear of or perception of vote padding.

Having said that, I am curious to hear more about online platforms for less contentious votes.
posted by latkes at 9:14 PM on November 11, 2021