Paper Ballot Election Solutions

Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) provides paper ballot voting solutions to ensure accurate, safe, and smooth election processes for your organization. Whether you typically provide mail-in paper ballot options to your voters or prefer to conduct elections that combine online and paper methods, you can trust our paper ballot solutions to encourage participation and streamline the voting process.

Our Paper Voting Solutions


When you choose SBS for paper voting, you can enjoy a range of services tailored to meet your needs. Our paper ballot or paper proxy options include:

  • Custom ballot designs: We offer multiple ballot sizes in different formats to help you find one that speaks to your organization.
  • Envelopes: Our envelopes come in a range of colors, styles, and sizes. We also offer postal permits to ensure the best rates for shipping.
  • Additional materials: We can include any supplementary printed materials with your ballot, such as candidate biographies, bylaw information, meeting notices, and financial information.

Testimonials

"SBS was incredibly professional, and highlighted exactly how real-time voting could work for our situation. Real-time voting enables our Board of Directors to cast their votes in a matter of seconds, with results instantly tabulated, as well as being able to adjust rounds of voting on the fly with runoffs. After the vote, our board couldn't believe - this is an incredible improvement, we should've done this years ago."

- Adam Brooks, Association of Professional Flight Attendants

Multiple Voting Options


Our mail-in paper ballots can be a standalone voting option. Alternatively, you can combine them with another voting method, such as virtual or onsite voting. In addition to mail-in ballots, we offer paper components for the following:

  • Onsite balloting
  • Postcards
  • QR codes
  • Special letters

The Benefits of Our Paper Ballot Voting Solutions


SBS offers paper ballot voting options designed to increase your election’s security, accuracy and efficiency. We use a proven process that includes:

A sophisticated chain of custody: We closely follow and accurately document election mailings so you can trust that they remain secure and valid.

Comprehensive quality assurance: From address proofing to camera systems that match inserts to envelopes, our processes assure quality.

Stringent security standards: We follow tight security protocols, such as storing physical ballots in a securely locked vault, to ensure the integrity of your election.

Trustworthy results: Administrators can watch a private live stream as SBS opens, scans, reviews and counts votes.

Ballot Solutions


Helpful for a variety of voting scenarios, including the following:

  • Director elections
  • Mergers
  • Bylaw votes
  • Contract approvals
  • Articles of incorporation

Why SBS?


SBS has worked with a variety of organizations since 1990, providing customized voting solutions that encourage participation, ensure security and increase connection with members. Our flexible voting options allow you to create an effective election process for your organization.

We offer full-service customer support throughout the entire election process. You'll work with a dedicated team led by an experienced project manager who keeps your project on schedule and aligned with your goals and requirements. From in-depth reporting to robust member support, we offer everything you need to optimize your election processes for greater accuracy and security.

Tools for Bosting Election Turnout

At Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), we’ll collaborate with you to discover your priorities and determine which of our solutions align with your election goals. We also offer several additional election services to reduce your administrative load, increase voter participation, and improve member satisfaction. Here are the services we offer:

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Election Analytics

Election analytics turn your data into actionable insights, helping you analyze member behavior and improve participation.

Explore Election Analytics Features
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One-Click Voting Links

Expand participation with one-click voting links. When you opt for this service, we’ll send one-click voting links to your voters’ emails that takes them directly to their ballot — no username or password setup needed.

Inside One-Click Voting Links
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QR Codes

Incorporating QR codes on election resources, like fliers, posters, and mail-in ballots, can direct members straight to your voting webpage or directly into their ballot.

Harness the Impact of QR Codes
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Single Sign-On

Single sign-on (SSO) significantly simplifies online voting by allowing members to log in through your website’s member-only portal using their existing credentials. Once logged in, voters are directed to the election website and their ballot — no need for new usernames or passwords.

Simplify with Single Sign-On
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Voting Participation Reminders

SBS offers targeted voter reminders through postal mail, iCalendar alerts, automated texts, and email notifications. Ideal for member organizations with a diverse voter pool, these voting reminders are a proven way to increase participation in elections.

Enhance Voter Engagement

Find The Right Voting Solution For Your Organization

Real-Time Voting

BEST FOR:

  • Industry Associations
  • HOA & POA
  • Clubs
  • Churches and Religious Groups
  • Fraternities and Sororities
  • Educational Institutions

Why: Live voting, quorum tracking, and instant results are most valuable in formal meetings and governance-heavy environments.

Fully Managed

BEST FOR:

  • Associations
  • Cooperatives
  • Credit Unions
  • Farm Credit Associations
  • Mutual Insurance Companies
  • Pension Funds
  • Unions

Why: These groups often have higher complexity, higher stakes, or regulatory sensitivity and benefit from white-glove support.

Online Voting Tools

BEST FOR:

Why:These are your most flexible, scalable solutions and work across every industry we serve.

Onsite Voting

BEST FOR:

  • Cooperatives
  • Farm Credit Associations 
  • Nonprofits
  • Unions

Why: Especially well-suited for organizations whose bylaws or regulations require voting to take place in person or at a meeting.

Drive-Thru Voting

BEST FOR:

  • Cooperatives 
  • Unions

Why: Drive-thru voting allows organizations that require in-person voting to maintain compliance while offering the convenience of electronic ballots, faster participation, and quicker, more accurate results.

Paper Ballots

BEST FOR:

  • Cooperatives
  • Government
  • Mutual Insurance Companies
  • Unions
  • Nonprofits

Why: These groups often have voter populations that prefer or require traditional voting methods.

Hybrid Elections

BEST FOR:

  • Associations
  • Clubs
  • Cooperatives
  • Credit Unions
  • Unions

Why:  Hybrid elections balance accessibility and tradition - ideal for organizations with diverse member preferences.

Do-It-Yourself Elections

BEST FOR:

  • HOA & POA
  • Country Clubs
  • Sports Clubs and Leagues
  • Industry Associations
  • Unions

Why: Smaller teams or less complex elections benefit from speed, control, and lower cost.

Nominations

BEST FOR:

  • Associations
  • Cooperatives
  • Credit Unions
  • Unions

Why: Structured leadership pipelines and governance cycles make nominations especially important in these markets. All member-based organizations can benefit from digital nomination tools.

Petition Collection

BEST FOR:

  • Mutual Insurance Companies
  • Credit Unions
  • Pension Funds 
  • Cooperatives
  • Government
  • HOA & POA

Why: Petition workflows are common in rule changes, member initiatives, and labor-related processes.

Surveys

BEST FOR:

Why: Feedback, engagement, and benchmarking are universally relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Basics

What are paper ballot voting solutions?

Paper ballot voting solutions from Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) provide a reliable way to conduct secure mail-in or mixed-method elections. These solutions can be used as a standalone voting option or combined with online and onsite methods to simplify administration and drive voter turnout.

In what scenarios are paper ballots typically used?

Paper ballots are a versatile choice for a variety of organizational needs, including director elections, mergers, bylaw votes, contract approvals, and voting on articles of incorporation.

Which types of organizations benefit from mail-in paper ballots?

Since 1990, SBS has provided customized paper voting solutions for many member-based organizations, including cooperatives, credit unions, labor unions, homeowners associations (HOAs), and mutual insurance companies.

Key Features

What customization options are available for ballots and envelopes?

SBS offers custom ballot designs in multiple sizes and formats to suit your organization’s specific needs. Additionally, envelopes are available in a range of styles and sizes, with postal permits provided to ensure the best rates for shipping.

Can supplementary materials be included with the ballot mailing?

Yes. SBS can include additional printed materials alongside the ballot, such as candidate biographies, meeting notices, bylaw information, and more, to ensure voters have all the information they need.

Are there other paper-based voting components available?

Beyond standard mail-in ballots, SBS provides paper components for onsite balloting, postcards, special letters, and materials featuring QR codes to help direct members to their ballots.

Is support provided throughout the paper voting process?

Yes. SBS provides full-service customer support led by an experienced project manager. This dedicated team ensures the project stays on schedule and aligns with your organization's specific requirements and goals.

Security & Compliance

How is the security of election mailings guaranteed?

SBS utilizes a sophisticated chain of custody process. We closely follow and accurately document all election mailings to ensure that every ballot remains secure and valid from the moment it is sent until it is counted.

Can administrators monitor the opening and counting of ballots?

Yes. SBS allows administrators to observe the opening and counting of ballots either onsite at our office or through a private live stream. Administrators can watch as our team opens, scans, reviews, and counts ballots in real time to provide trustworthy and transparent results.

What quality assurance measures are used during the mailing process?

To ensure accuracy, SBS employs comprehensive quality assurance protocols, including address proofing and specialized camera systems that match specific ballot inserts to the correct envelopes.

Learn More About Our Mail-in Voting Options

SBS proudly maintains a tradition of success and client satisfaction, so you can trust our dedicated service to benefit your organization. We have the accurate, secure and efficient paper voting solutions you need to streamline and enhance your election process. Contact us today to learn more about our mail-in voting options.

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