Overcoming Election Challenges: Proven Solutions for a Secure, Smooth Voting Process

Last Updated on November 24, 2025 by Hannah Seeley

Create a better voting experience by planning for these election challenges:

1. Data security: Protect your members’ trust with end-to-end encryption, secure voter authentication, and continuous monitoring.
2. Digitizing elections: Ease the shift to digital elections with hybrid models and a user-friendly election platform.
3. Increasing engagement: Boost turnout through multi-channel outreach, incentives, and simplified online voting solutions that make participation effortless.
4. Time-consuming processes: Save time by automating tasks and using an election management solution like SBSHub.

Whether you’re a board member or a volunteer keeping an association afloat, elections are a must for properly managing an organization. These votes aren’t a formality; they have a real impact on your long-term success.

A well-run election signals to your members that their voices matter and that your organization operates with integrity. On the other hand, issues with turnout or security can have a negative ripple effect on the association. Low turnout and eroded trust hurt your mission and make it impossible to actually serve members.

That’s why it’s so important to design an effective election for your association. Of course, running an election requires juggling many requirements at once, and it isn’t easy. Fortunately, you can overcome election challenges with proactive planning and make election day run smoothly. Learn about the most common election challenges and how to avoid them in your election.

How To Overcome 4 Common Election Challenges

Even with the best intentions, running a smooth election can feel like navigating a maze of technical hurdles, tight deadlines, and security concerns.

If you struggle to pull off annual elections, you aren’t alone. According to the June 2024 Survey & Ballot Systems newsletter poll, associations face some big election challenges:

● 42.9% struggle with ensuring data security and integrity
● 20.4% are working to transition from paper to digital elections
● 20.4% aim to increase member engagement and voter participation
● 16.3% find the process simply too time-consuming

No matter which issue matters most to you, all of these challenges are fixable. Let’s explore proven ways to overcome these election challenges.

Challenge #1: Ensuring Data Security and Integrity

When it comes to elections, nothing matters more than trust. Data breaches, tampering, and fraud are not only legal issues, but they’re also the biggest election challenges associations face. A single weak link can undermine members’ confidence in the voting process, not to mention cause legal problems.

Fortunately, you don’t need an IT department or tech skills to run a secure election.

Building a secure voting process starts with the right safeguards. That means using end-to-end encryption and secure voter authentication to protect sensitive information from start to finish. Partnering with a trusted third-party provider like Survey & Ballot Systems adds this additional layer of protection, ensuring your election security meets best-in-class standards. Our system offers real-time monitoring and conducts regular audits, helping you comply with association bylaws, rules, and regulations.

Challenge #2: Transitioning From Paper to Digital

Digital elections are the future, but transitioning from paper-based processes is understandably intimidating. It’s especially challenging if members or the board are hesitant to try something new. Associations with this challenge often worry about technology failures and privacy, as well as concerns about cost management.

The good news is that you don’t have to go all-in if you aren’t ready. Take a measured approach by starting with a hybrid election first. This gradual approach combines paper and online voting solutions so members can become comfortable with the process before moving to a fully digital system.

Education also goes a long way. Educate members about the benefits of a secure voting process to boost their confidence. Q&A sessions, how-to videos, and email outreach will help members better understand why this is a good move.

Of course, the easier it is to vote, the more likely members are to participate. That’s why it’s so important to go with a user-friendly voting platform from the start. Working with an experienced provider like Survey & Ballot Systems ensures reliability and smooth adoption from day one.

With the right partner and rollout plan, even the most paper-dependent organizations can successfully transition to a secure, efficient digital election model. In fact, SBS helped the Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative transition from in-person, paper-based voting to a hybrid model. As a result, TWEC now has one of the highest voting percentages in the state.

Challenge #3: Increasing Engagement and Participation

You don’t have an association without member engagement. At a minimum, you need enough members to participate to achieve quorum. But even then, the more active members are in the organization, the more valuable and engaging your work will be.

You have to compete against apathy, busy schedules, and a lack of awareness to boost participation, which can be a real challenge.

The solution starts with communication. Create a multi-channel election communication strategy to reach members where they are. Communicate with them through email, mailed notices, social media posts, text reminders, and even in-person signage. Whichever formats you choose, share a consistent message. This way, all members receive the same information, no matter where they engage with you.

Fun incentives can also increase member engagement. Adding perks, like free T-shirts or gift cards, can make elections more engaging. Gamify member engagement by allowing people to earn badges or points that they can exchange for swag or gifts.

Outreach helps, but members won’t participate if the process is clunky and confusing. Embrace flexible online voting solutions to make participation as easy as possible.

Make sure your voting platform is simple to use and has a clean, uncomplicated interface. It should offer single-click logins and the option to upload additional information, like candidate bios, so members have everything they need to make an informed decision in one place.

Challenge #4: Managing Time-Consuming Processes

Traditional association voting takes a long time. Counting votes, tracking ballots, and gathering voter lists consume more staff hours than you can spare. Not only do these time-consuming processes delay results, but they also complicate logistics and increase the risk of error.

Fortunately, this is the easiest election challenge to solve. Outsourcing election administration to a trusted provider like Survey & Ballot Systems can transform the process from stressful to seamless. By automating voter database management, ballot distribution, and tabulation, you can reclaim valuable time while reducing errors.

SBSHub makes it even simpler to manage digital elections. Our intuitive election management system streamlines scheduling, reporting, and communication, while built-in safeguards ensure a secure voting process from start to finish.

Turn Challenges into Opportunities

Every election will have its share of challenges, but proper planning prevents most of these issues from interfering with election results. Whether you adopt hybrid voting, incentivize participation, or streamline internal processes, the right strategies and technology make the difference.

With a partner like Survey & Ballot Systems, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. We help organizations of all sizes create a secure voting process that saves time and builds trust. Make your next election safer and more successful: Contact SBS today.