Good, Better, Best: How does your election
process compare?
After handling thousands of elections over the past 17 years,
there’s virtually nothing we haven’t encountered. From corporations
and co-ops to associations, we have identified best practices common
to all elections… best practices that can mean the difference
between good and great to your election.
#1: Get the Word Out. A key way to ensure a successful election is
to actively promote it. The more ways you reach people, the more
they will participate and feel engaged in the process.
Monthly newsletters, publications, web pages, post cards and email
blasts — these are all part of a best-practice strategy to educate
and remind your constituents about the election.
Some clients take a more creative approach to announcing their
elections. See a sample here. Others keep the communications
straightforward. Your messaging depends on your organization’s
culture. Either way, consider “turning up the volume” to make your
communications more interesting if you suspect that the message
isn’t getting the attention you think it should.
Great Idea: Some clients have promoted their elections by setting up
a voting demo at their organization’s annual meetings. Members were
able to view the sample ballot and practice using the electronic
voting system. This can create a buzz around the election and help
ensure the members have the information they need to cast their
votes.
#2: Understand Your Election’s Strengths and Weaknesses. As you
evaluate your balloting process, consider the factors influencing
the good and the problematic. The key is to examine all elements at
play in your election to really understand what’s working, what’s
not and why. A great source for this information is the voters
themselves. Continue to listen to and learn more about who your
voters are, why they vote, and what their level of satisfaction is
with the election process. A tool to collect immediate feedback from
the voters works best. You want voter feedback while it is still
fresh in their mind. Also, try to collect information from
non-voters regarding why they did not vote.
As you evaluate a particular election, don’t jump to
conclusions without the facts. For example, if your response rate
was low and you suspect it’s because of a transition in the election
process, take a closer look. Is it possible that it was an “off”
year in terms of key seats or critical bylaws? As with U.S. national
elections, when the Presidential seat isn’t up for vote, turnout is
lower. Could it be that the candidates were seen as too similar in
their policies?
#3: Think Before You React. Likely you’ll get requests for
changes in the election process. For example, someone may want to
change the text, format, layout or functionality. Before you make a
change based on a comment or two, get some perspective. Learn the
reason behind the request; it will help you get to the right
solution if one is really needed. Surround yourself with support –
from your elections team and your elections vendor, if you use one.
Listen to all sides and then make the tough call on whether to make
the change. Making a change for the few could cause concern for the
majority.
#4. Make a Plan, Work the Plan and Don’t Cut Corners. The most
successful elections are run by cohesive teams, including internal
stakeholders and outside experts. Engage the team early and often
throughout the process. Everyone should understand the strategy and
plan so that no vital pieces of the election are overlooked, such as
a clean database. Once you’ve done the due diligence regarding your
security and processes, work the plan. Much like home improvement
projects, shortcuts can lead to unexpected challenges.
The Bottom Line
Successful elections have the following key factors in common: The
election starts with a clean database. It stays on schedule. The
response rate is good. And voter satisfaction is high, as evidenced
by voter feedback.
