How to Write an Ideal Candidate Profile

Last Updated on September 22, 2026 by Hannah Seeley

You’ve got an incredible slate of candidates for your upcoming member organization election. Your team is enthusiastic about their qualifications, backgrounds and potential to be assets to the organization. But if you simply list their names on a ballot, your members aren’t likely to be as excited. You need to provide a way for your members to get to know the candidates like you have gotten to know them, but how?

Candidate profiles 

Candidate bios are like a short, informative “elevator pitch” that summarizes each candidate and what they can do for the organization. Aim to keep candidate bios standardized and concise.

What to include:

• Professional history: employer, past board experience, past committee experience, etc.
•  History with the organization: length of membership, previous volunteer roles, membership type (if relevant), awards, etc.
• One to two sentences about what they feel they can do for the organization if they were elected

Candidate statements

Candidate statements are longer, more in-depth versions of bios. A candidate’s statement is their opportunity to expand on their background, history with the organization, beliefs and goals.

The candidate statement is the chance each person has to explain why they are the right person for the job, why voters should cast their ballots in favor of the candidate and what the candidate sees as the future of the organization.

Candidate videos

As thorough as candidate bios and statements can be at introducing voters to the slate of candidates on the ballot, not everyone will end up reading through those materials. That is where candidate videos become a valuable resource.

Candidate videos placed within the election website allow voters to see and hear candidates speak. It also provides candidates to share in their own words who they are, what their vision is for the organization, and how they hope to be part of that future.

Candidate events

In the past, “Meet the Candidate” events were a popular in-person activity for members to help boost engagement and election knowledge. However, moving your “Meet the Candidate” Q&A to a live virtual format between scheduling and transportation difficulties and the uncertainty around in-person meeting safety is a great alternative. It accomplishes the same goals – meeting the candidates and asking questions in real-time while opening up participation to members who cannot make it in person for whatever reason.

You can also easily record the event and make it a part of your election website, so potential voters who were not able to attend can take advantage of the information.

With an abundance of resources, your organization should also use all available communications methods to share your “Meet the Candidates” package: Email, social media, your organization’s website and more.

Well informed voters are likely to be more engaged in the election and invested in its outcome. Don’t make potential voters search for information on candidates or have to ask about it, serve it up easily to inform as many members as possible. Not only can this help increase election participation, but it will also shine a positive light on your organization’s governance and transparency practices.

Read Our Blog: “Successful Candidate Statements in 7 Easy Steps”

Have questions about getting your “Meet the Candidates” package just right for your members? Check out our “Expert’s Guide To Modern Candidate Nominations” for tips or contact us any time, we’re here to help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should a candidate bio or profile include for an election? A candidate bio should provide voters with a concise overview of the candidate’s background, qualifications, involvement with the organization, and goals if elected. Using a consistent format for all candidate profiles can make it easier for voters to review and compare candidate information. 
2. How can organizations use candidate videos to inform voters? Candidate videos give voters another way to learn about candidates by allowing them to hear directly from each candidate about their background, qualifications, and goals for the organization. SBS election software supports embedding candidate videos directly within the ballot, making it easy for voters to access this information alongside candidate bios and other election materials. 
3. What is the difference between a candidate bio and a candidate statement? A candidate bio is a short, concise summary like an “elevator pitch,” while a candidate statement is a longer, more in-depth opportunity for the candidate to expand on their background, history with the organization, beliefs, goals, and why they are the right person for the job.
4. Why is it important to provide comprehensive candidate information during an election? Providing thorough candidate information helps voters understand each candidate’s background, qualifications, experience, and goals before casting their ballot. Making this information easy to access gives voters the resources they need to make an informed choice and supports a transparent election process. 
5. How can organizations use candidate events, particularly virtual ones, to foster member engagement? Virtual “Meet the Candidate” Q&A events give members an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and ask questions in real time without attending an in-person event. Organizations can also record the event and make it available on their election website, giving members who could not attend another way to learn about the candidates.