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Author: Clémence Campillo

Case Study: University of Minnesota

Posted on by Clémence Campillo

The University of Minnesota is one of the largest universities in the United States with over 52,000 students, organized into multiple colleges and schools. Since adopting Simply Voting since 2013, and over 500 voting events have been run. 

The University of Minnesota’s Requirements & Challenges

They are running governance elections, resolution and ratification votes as well as surveys. A mix of student leaders and university staff are managing the voting events.

  • System Needs:
    • A universal access with standardization and an audit history
    • A visual aesthetic consistent with the university branding 
    • An efficient handling of the numerous events simultaneously

The Simply Voting’s Solution

Simply Voting offers a flexible and secure online voting platform for universities. The University of Minnesota opted for: 

  • Self-Service management,  training with a train-the trainer approach and continuous availability for advanced support
  • Voter Authentication integrated with campus single sign-on. This way, voters can access ballots using familiar university credentials
  • Voter Segmentation to categorize voters to present unique, custom ballots for different voter groups

The results

Today, the university staff and students praise the system’s ease of use and reliability. Simply Voting has become the University’s trusted voting platform for running transparent and efficient elections

Looking for an online voting platform to run your university election?

Feel free to reach out to us. We will be happy to provide a solution tailored to meet your requirements.

Understanding Preferential Voting

Posted on by Clémence Campillo

Preferential voting (or ranked choice voting) is a smart and democratic vote method that allows voters
to rank the candidates or options of an election from their first preference to their last preference rather
Preferential voting (or ranked choice voting) is a smart and democratic vote method that allows voters to rank the candidates or options of an election from their first preference to their last preference rather than just select their favorite. This method ensures that the final outcome better reflects the voter’s opinion, especially in elections with multiple candidates or options since they don’t have to pick just one favorite but also their second, third etc. preference while also minimizing run-offs. Moreover, this method allows voters to pick there favorite candidate without being scared of wasting their vote if their preferred candidate is less popular as their second preference will matter too. 

How does it work with Simply Voting?

When setting up a preferential election, the election organizer can decide how voters should rank the options for a vote to be accepted. Voters can be allowed to rank:

  • All options
  • Any number of options
  • At least x options
  • Up to x options
  • Exactly x options
  • Between x options and y options

The election organizer must also select one of the tabulation processes available to determine the winner(s).  

The 3 options Simply Voting offers are:

  • Borda Count

With Borda Count each rank is assigned a point value where, the number of points given to candidates for each ranking is determined by the number of candidates in the question. Thus, if there are five candidates then a candidate will receive five points each time they are ranked first, four for being ranked second, and so on, with a candidate receiving 1 point for being ranked last. Unranked candidates are given zero points.

To tabulate the results, all points are added up and the candidate(s) with most points wins. 

  • Single Transferable Vote / Instant Runoff Voting 

With STV/IRV, a quota is set for a candidate to be declared a winner. 

Quotas:

Simply Voting provides two methods for determining the quota in an election:

  • Droop Quota (Default): This method takes into account the total number of winners to calculate the quota. The formula ensures that as the number of available seats increases, the quota required for a candidate to be elected becomes smaller. This makes it easier for candidates to reach the threshold and get elected when more seats are up for grabs.
  • Enforced “50% + 1” Quota: This method sets the quota as a strict majority, 50% of the votes plus one, regardless of how many winners are to be elected. It does not adjust based on the number of available seats, making it a fixed and more stringent threshold.

Key Difference:

The Droop quota dynamically adjusts with the number of winners, lowering the barrier to election as more positions are available. In contrast, the “50% + 1” option maintains a fixed majority requirement, independent of the number of seats.

Tabulation:

Candidates meeting the quota with first-choice votes are elected. Surplus votes from elected candidates are transferred to next preferences at a fractional value. Lowest-ranked candidates are eliminated and their votes redistributed until all seats are filled. 

Click here to more details on STV.

  • Condorcet Ranked Pairs / Tideman

With the Condorcet method, each candidate is compared head-to-head against every other candidate. The winner is the one who beats all others in these one-on-one matchups. This method aims to find the most broadly supported candidate. 

Conclusion

Preferential voting brings clarity, fairness and flexibility to online elections. Paired with our intuitive online voting system, ranked choice voting becomes more accessible, transparent and easier to manage.

Ready to move to preferential voting? Click here to setup you election.

Countries and U.S. States Using Online Voting

Posted on by Clémence Campillo

As digital technologies continue to transform every facet of daily life, governments around the world are exploring online voting as a way to make elections more accessible, secure, and convenient. Whether through voting apps or web-based platforms, online voting is gaining traction particularly at the municipal level or for specific voter groups to enhance accessibility and convenience.

So, which countries and U.S. states currently allow online voting? And how is it being implemented?

Countries Using Online Voting

  • Estonia

Estonia is the global pioneer of online voting. Since 2005, Estonian citizens have had the ability to vote online in national elections. Today, Estonia remains the only country in the world where all citizens can vote online in both national and local elections, using a secure, government-issued digital ID system.

  • Switzerland

Switzerland began testing online voting as early as 2001. By 2013, 11 cantons had piloted online voting systems. In 2023, Swiss Post introduced a new e-voting system, which was successfully tested and approved by the Federal Council, demonstrating continued commitment to offering secure digital voting options.

  • France

Since 2012, French citizens living abroad have been able to vote online in presidential elections, providing an important convenience for expatriates participating in the democratic process.

  • Canada

In Canada, online voting is widely used in municipal elections, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia. For example, during the 2022 municipal elections in Ontario, many municipalities selected Simply Voting as their secure online voting provider.

  • United Arab Emirates

The UAE has implemented fully digital voting for its Federal National Council elections, enabling citizens, including those overseas, to vote securely online.

  • Philippines

In 2025, the Philippines introduced online voting for overseas Filipinos via the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS).

  • India

In June 2025, the Indian state of Bihar conducted municipal elections using a mobile app-based e-voting system. This initiative allowed voters, including those abroad, to cast their ballots remotely, achieving a 69% turnout .

  • U.S. States Using Online Voting

In the United States, election laws and voting methods are determined state by state. While most states do not offer online voting for the general public, exceptions exist particularly for specific voter groups such as UOCAVA voters (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act), voters with disabilities, and in limited cases, other qualified groups.

UOCAVA Voters: Several states allow military personnel and citizens living abroad to vote online under UOCAVA provisions. These states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana and several others.

    Voters with Disabilities: At least 13 states provide online voting options for voters with disabilities to ensure accessibility. These include: Colorado, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Nevada among others.

    Other Exceptions: Some states also allow qualified first responders or tribal voters living on reservations to vote online, depending on their circumstances and local election laws.

    Conclusion

    Online voting is no longer a distant concept it’s an increasingly common feature of modern democratic systems. From nationwide adoption in Estonia to municipal elections across Canada, governments are recognizing the value of online voting in increasing accessibility, enhancing voter participation, and adapting to the digital age.

    As adoption continues to expand and technologies evolve, Simply Voting remains at the forefront, providing secure, reliable online voting solutions tailored to diverse electoral needs.

    If online voting is permitted in your state or country, feel free to reach out to us. We will be happy to provide a solution tailored to meet your requirements.

    Case Study of Kensington Management Group

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    Kensington Management Group is a leading insurance management firm in the Cayman Islands. Kensington manages a diverse range of captive insurance companies across multiple industries.  They have been using Simply Voting for their elections since 2017.

    KMG’s challenges:

    • Conduct over 60 in-person proxy voting events annually for 30+ captive companies.
    • Each company has twelve to hundred voting members.
    • Manual process of proxy submission via email, requiring physical signatures and manual data entry, was time-consuming and inefficient.

    Simply Voting’s solution:

    Simply Voting offers a flexible and secured online voting platform for companies. In order to meet KMG’s requirement, Simply Voting:

    • Developed a custom electronic proxy voting form with automatically populated fields for ease of use.
    • Implemented a dual-branding feature to display both Kensington’s and the captive’s logos on the proxy form.
    • Provided a fully managed service for proxy vote setups, handled by a project manager with Kensington’s approval.
    • Created a customized reporting feature for rapid retrieval of proxy voting submissions in a convenient format.

    The results:

    By choosing Simply Voting, KMG streamlined and automated the proxy voting process, saving significant time for insurance managers.

    Looking for an online voting platform to run your proxy vote or corporate election?

    Feel free to reach out to us. We will be happy to provide a solution tailored to meet your requirements.

    Plurality Vs Majority: What Is The Difference?

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    Plurality vs majority: what is the difference and how does Simply Voting support both?

    Whether you are voting to elect your new president, treasurer or a board member, it is important to understand the different counting methods to elect your winner. Two of the most common methods are plurality and majority.

    What is a plurality vote?

    With a plurality vote, the candidate with the most votes win. For example, for this election with 3 candidates:

    • Candidate A: 45 Votes
    • Candidate B: 35 Votes
    • Candidate C: 20 Votes

    Candidate A wins because the candidate received more individual votes than the other candidates, even if a total of 55 votes went to the other candidates.

    What is a majority vote?

    With a majority vote, the winning candidate must receive more than 50% of all votes cast. For example, if 100 votes were cast, the winner must receive at least 51 votes.

    Using the same example with 3 candidates:

    • Candidate A: 40 Votes
    • Candidate B: 35 Votes
    • Candidate C: 25 Votes

    Since no candidate received a majority of the votes, this election has no winner yet. Depending on your election rules, a runoff election between Candidate A and Candidate B will determine the final winner.

    How it works with Simply Voting

    Our online voting system is built for flexibility. We don’t impose a single method of determining the winner. You’ll receive a clear, transparent count along with the percentage of votes each candidate receives. From there, you’re free to apply the voting method that best suits your needs.

    • If you choose the plurality method, the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.
    • If you prefer a majority method, you’ll need to verify whether any candidate received more than 50% of the total votes.

    Choosing between plurality and majority voting depends on your organization’s rules. Our online voting platform provides transparent results, giving you the information you need to declare a winner using the method that best fits your requirements.

    Start your online election now!

    Secure Voting Solution for Ontario Municipal Elections 2026

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    Visit Simply Voting’s Booth at the 2025 AMCTO Conference: Your Partner in Secure Voting Solutions for Ontario Municipal Elections 2026.

    The Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) is hosting its 2025 Annual Conference from June 8th to 11th, 2025 in Windsor, Ontario. This event brings together local government professionals, industry experts, exhibitors, and thought leaders.

    Simply Voting Solutions for Ontario Municipalities in 2026

    With the Ontario municipal elections approaching, municipalities are seeking secure, accessible and efficient voting platforms. Our online voting platform offers hybrid election solutions:  

    • Paper Ballot: Thanks to our two-way live sync with DataFix VoterView, you can introduce internet voting while seamlessly maintaining your traditional paper ballot process.
    • Telephone Voting: Simply Voting’s telephone voting system provides voters with audio ballots that may be submitted using a touch-tone dialpad. An excellent solution for offering your voters an alternative voting channel.

    Why visit our booth?

    At our booth you will:

    • Learn about our secure and accessible voting solutions tailored for Ontario Municipal Elections.
    • Discuss your municipality’s specific needs with our election experts.
    • Explore how our platform can improve your election process and ensure compliance with Ontario’s election regulations.

    Other municipalities have already chosen Simply Voting, visit our booth at the 2025 AMCTO Conference to find out how our Canadian made solution can support your municipality’s needs.

    For more information about the AMCTO Conference, visit: https://www.amcto.com/conference.

    Liberal Party of Canada Leadership Election Concludes Successfully with Simply Voting’s Secure Online System

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    Montreal, Canada – June 5th, 2025 – Simply Voting Inc., a leading provider of secure online voting solutions, proudly announces the successful completion of the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership election using its voting platform. Mark Carney was elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party and is now Canada’s Prime Minister following this highly anticipated race.

    The election, which concluded on March 9, 2025, saw significant engagement, with 151,899 members securely casting their ranked ballots through Simply Voting’s platform, representing nearly 93% of verified members. With 85.9% of the vote, Carney defeated the former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, the former government house leader Karina Gould and the former member of parliament Frank Baylis. He also dominated in all 343 ridings, showing he has Liberal support across the country.

    A Secure and Transparent Voting Process

    The contest followed a ranked ballot system, ensuring that the winning candidate had broad support across the country rather than just securing the highest number of votes.

    Liberal Party officials praised the seamless experience of using Simply Voting’s system. “Simply Voting was a great partner in this process, their technology worked flawlessly and ensured a secure, fair, and robust Leadership race”, said Azam Ishmael, National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada.

    “The challenge was complex, requiring the seamless integration of Canada Post’s Identity+ service, the Liberal Party’s custom voter registration platform and our voting system, ensuring secure, real-time synchronization across all components”, said Brian Lack, President of Simply Voting.

    Simply Voting’s platform ensured the highest level of election integrity through its robust security features, including strong encryption, anonymous electronic ballots, and instant tabulation of results. The system allowed party members from across the country to participate securely, reinforcing confidence in the democratic process.

    About the Liberal Party of Canada

    The Liberal Party of Canada is one of the country’s major political parties, dedicated to the principles of individual freedom, responsibility, and human dignity within a framework of a just society. Committed to providing equal opportunity for all persons, the party emphasizes the enhancement of Canada’s unique and diverse cultural community and the preservation of the Canadian identity in a global society.

    For more information about the Liberal Party and their initiatives, please visit www.liberal.ca.

    New feature: Archive Past Election Without Losing Important Information

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    We are excited to announce a new functionality to our online voting platform: Election Archiving.

    This new feature is designed to help you declutter your Election Manager while keeping your organization’s data safe.

    What does this new feature do?

    Archived elections will be deleted from the main elections page of your Election Manager and placed in an archive. Essential information will be preserved while sensitive data like electors’ lists will be deleted to increase the safety of your election data and protect voter privacy. 

    Archiving an election will:

    • Save the election’s name, Election ID, start & end dates, number of votes, number of electors, and number of questions under the Archived Elections section.
    • Save a summary of the results as a downloadable CSV file under the Archived Elections section.
    • Permanently erases the Certified Results PDF from your account.
    • Permanently erases all associated elector data, logs, and individual votes from Simply Voting’s servers.

    How does it work?

    To archive an election, navigate to the Elections page and click on the Archive button in the action column next to the desired election, then click on confirm.

    To review your archived elections, navigate to the Elections page and click on the Archived Elections button.

    Whether you are managing an HOA, a University or a Union, keeping your election records organized and secured is essential. This feature allows you to do both without compromise.

    Log in to your Election Manager now to start archiving your old elections.

    Understanding Proxy Voting

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    From corporate AGMs to shareholder formal meetings, using proxy vote with Simply Voting helps you stay organized and compliant when critical decisions are on the table.

    What is proxy voting?

    Proxy voting is a form of voting that allows one person to vote on behalf of another. The person designated is called a “proxy” and the person designating them is called a “principal”.

    It is widely used for shareholder meetings and AGMs to vote on budgets approvals, by-law amendments, leadership elections, etc. Proxy appointments can be used to form a voting bloc that can exercise greater influence in deliberations or negotiations.

    What we offer

    Organizations can allow voters to appoint proxy holders many different ways:

    • Fixed: The elector cannot decide who receives their proxy, it is fixed and predefined. This is often written out on the ballot indicating in language that the proxy will be given to “the president, or failing him or her”.
    • Validated Write-in: The elector can write-in the name of someone to receive their proxy. With validated write-ins, Simply Voting uses a dynamic match and autocomplete and checks against the names that are on the elector list.
    • Unvalidated Write-in: The elector can write-in the name of someone to receive their proxy. Simply Voting does not validate the name that is being written in.
    • Hybrid: This approach is a hybrid between fixed and write-in. The elector has the option to have some fixed person (e.g. the president, or failing him or her…) receive their proxy, or the elector has the option to specifically write-in their proxy receiver.

    Proxy Voting Instructions

    Voters can also decide to provide specific instructions to their proxy holders. Here are the options:

    • Directed enforced and fixed: This is a standard form of online voting conducted prior to a meeting or event. Electors complete and submit their ballots, which constitutes their vote, although the votes may not be officially counted or certified until a designated meeting or event.
    • Undirected: Electors do not make any selections on the ballot. The proxy receiver has the authority to vote however they want.
    • Directed un-enforced: Electors make selections on the ballot. The proxy receiver has the authority to vote however they want, though the proxy giver has made their wishes known by indicating how they wish their ballot to be marked.
    • For quorum: Proxy ballots may also contain a ballot item or series of ballot items where a voter can choose “for quorum”, which can be like abstain, allowing the voter to be recorded as turned out so the meeting can be declared officially legal and all matters of business to similarly be official, though the individual is expressing no opinion on one or more items.

    Managing a proxy vote doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply Voting makes it easy to appoint a proxy and submit voting instructions. Whether you are planning an AGM or any formal vote, online voting makes the process faster and easier. 

    Contact us here to start planning your next proxy vote

    Simply Voting is now an Approved Vendor for IAFF Elections

    Posted on by Clémence Campillo

    We are excited to announce that Simply Voting has officially become an approved vendor for IAFF elections. This partnership marks a new milestone in our commitment to provide transparent, secured and accessible elections for unions.

    About IAFF:

    The IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) is one of the largest and most influential labor unions in North America. They are advocating for the rights, safety, and future of fire fighters, emergency medical workers, and rescue workers across the United States and Canada.

    Compliance with the LMRDA:

    The IAFF follows the guidelines outlined by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, therefore complying with those guidelines is essential to become an approved vendor. This ensures that all vendors meet high standards for quality, security and practices.

    The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) establishes democratic standards for conducting regular elections of union officers and elections of delegates who elect officers. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), an agency within the Department of Labor, is responsible for enforcing the LMRDA.

    Simply Voting complies with the LMRDA’s requirements by:

    • Ensuring ballot secrecy and offering the ability to remove any link between a voter and their vote.
    • Ensuring that any voting credentials provided to members are not available to others, through union or company websites or in some other manner.
    • Employing safeguards that can detect and log efforts to breach the encrypted file and access information about how particular voters voted.
    • Using encryption technology meeting industry standards that ensures the integrity of the ballots at all points from when they are cast to decryption and counting and disclosing the use of such encryption technology to observers.
    • The opportunity to observe any steps necessary for the counting of the votes, and any other steps necessary to audit that process.
    • Maintenance of detailed logs of every transaction and means to ensure the integrity of those logs.
    • Periodic audits of the system by an authorized independent party.
    • Allowing union members to vote only through a secure portal
    • Randomizing the order in which votes are stored in the encrypted file so that the ballot tally reveals no information about the order in which votes were cast.
    • Offering the ability to store election records for 1 year or more.

    The full guidelines can be found here.

    Other types of unions we are serving:

    Other unions also trust Simply Voting for their elections whether it is for collective bargaining or leadership votes. Our secured, accessible and customizable online voting system is designed to adapt to your requirements whether you need internet only or hybrid elections. We offer online voting, paper ballots, telephone voting and in person kiosks to make your elections more inclusive and efficient.

    Whether you are planning on running a large-scale national vote or a small local one, our flexible online voting tool will meet your needs.

    Learn more on how we support unions here.