How Drive-Thru Voting Works for Annual Meetings

Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Hannah Seeley

Drive-thru voting is a secure, modern way for members to cast online ballots from their vehicles during annual meetings. It combines the familiarity of in-person voting with the convenience of digital tools – allowing members to check in, verify eligibility, and vote quickly without leaving their cars.

This method simplifies election administration, improves accessibility, and increases voter participation – all while maintaining confidentiality and accuracy.

How Does Drive-Thru Voting Work?

1. Members arrive at the voting site and are greeted by staff who verify their eligibility.
2. Registration is completed on-site using a digital tool, such as SBS’s Annual Meeting Registration platform.
3. Members cast their ballots using a provided tablet or their own mobile device.
4. Votes are securely submitted and counted automatically – no paper, no manual tabulation, and immediate results.

This streamlined process reduces wait times and ensures secure, real-time vote tracking.

Benefits of Drive-Thru Voting

For members:

• Fast, convenient, and accessible – vote from your car in minutes.
• Inclusive for people with tight schedules or mobility limitations.
• Encourages higher turnout by removing barriers to participation.

For Administrators:

• Simplifies registration and vote collection.
• Eliminates paper ballot handling and hand-counting errors.
• Provides instant vote verification and real-time participation data.
• Scales easily for organizations of any size.

Why Cooperatives Are Adopting Drive-Thru Voting

Cooperatives nationwide are turning to drive-thru voting to simplify annual meetings and improve accessibility. It’s become especially popular among electric and telephone cooperatives in states like South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Tennessee – areas known for strong member participation and wide service territories. This method provides:

• Convenience for members traveling from rural communities.
• A safe, easy way to participate for seniors and those with mobility challenges.
• Greater efficiency for cooperative staff handling large events.

Real-World Example: Palmetto Electric Cooperative

Palmetto Electric Cooperative modernized its annual meeting with secure digital drive-thru voting.
Members scanned a QR code to register and verify ballot numbers, then cast votes electronically from their cars.
With SBS managing the digital process, Palmetto:

• Eliminated manual ballot counting.
• Reduced administrative time and costs.
• Increased trust through accurate, impartial results.

This approach turned a time-consuming process into a smooth, efficient experience for both voters and staff.

7 Benefits of Drive-Thru Voting for Cooperatives and Members

See the seven key benefits of drive-thru voting for cooperatives and their members below.

1. Enhancing Member Engagement Through Technology

Electric and telephone cooperatives are built on the principle of member participation. Drive-thru voting simplifies the process and encourages involvement from members who might otherwise skip the annual meeting due to time constraints or accessibility challenges. By integrating digital tools, co-ops can create a more inclusive environment that values every member’s voice.

2. Leveraging QR Codes for Seamless Registration

QR codes streamline and simplify the election process. Members can securely access their ballots by scanning a code with their smartphones, eliminating paperwork and ensuring a faster, more efficient voting experience.

3. Training and Support for Cooperative Staff

Implementing drive-thru voting involves a shift in operations, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. SBS provides comprehensive training and support to staff, ensuring they feel confident with the technology and procedures. From setup to execution, we partner with cooperatives to make the transition smooth and successful.

4. Environmental and Cost Benefits

Drive-thru voting supports sustainability by eliminating paper ballots and reducing the need for printed materials. The streamlined digital process also cuts down on manual labor and administrative overhead, creating cost savings that can be reinvested into member services.

5. Community Impact and Visibility

Drive-thru voting events can double as community engagement opportunities. They showcase the cooperative’s commitment to innovation and member service, while local media and social sharing help amplify visibility and reputation.

6. Customization for Regional Needs

Every cooperative faces unique challenges. For example, co-ops in South Dakota serve members across large, rural areas, while Tennessee cooperatives often cover mountainous regions that make travel to a single meeting site difficult. By offering multiple drive-thru locations or flexible on-site setups, cooperatives can make participation easier and more convenient for all members.

7. Future-Proofing Cooperative Governance

As technology continues to evolve, cooperatives must adapt to stay relevant. Drive-thru voting is a step toward future-proofing governance processes. It demonstrates a commitment to modernization and positions cooperatives as forward-thinking organizations ready to meet the needs of a digital-savvy membership base.

Testimonials from Cooperative Leaders

Mike Taylor, VP of Information Systems at Palmetto Electric Cooperative, shared that their previous paper-based drive-thru process raised concerns about speed and the timely delivery of results. “Another concern was getting the results quickly after the election ended so they could be reported during the business meeting that followed,” he explained.

With SBS’s support, Palmetto streamlined their process and achieved faster, more accurate outcomes. “SBS fulfilled the role as a trusted independent partner by certifying quick election results and ensuring election integrity,” Taylor said. “This allowed us to focus on our members and the business meeting.”

Beyond drive-thru voting, more than 320 cooperatives across the country trust SBS to manage secure, transparent elections of all types. Leaders frequently highlight SBS’s professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment to accuracy:

Why Member Organizations Choose Drive-Thru Voting

Drive-thru voting helps organizations:

• Boost participation by making voting easier.
• Ensure fairness and transparency through secure digital systems.
• Modernize annual meetings with efficient, real-time election management.

It’s not just a pandemic-era solution – it’s a lasting, forward-thinking approach that builds engagement and confidence in every election.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Key Takeaway

Drive-thru voting streamlines annual meetings by combining security, convenience, and digital efficiency. It improves participation, reduces administrative work, and delivers fast, accurate results — making it an ideal solution for cooperatives, associations, and other member-based organizations.

Ready to see how drive-thru voting could simplify your next annual meeting? Contact us to learn more about implementing a secure, efficient, and engaging voting experience with SBS.