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Category: Voting System

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!

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

Cumulative Voting: Empowering Shareholders in the Election Process

Posted on by Clémence Campillo

Cumulative voting is a type of voting system that allows electors to allocate their votes in a flexible manner during an election. Voters are given a certain number of votes to allocate for a specific position, they can then distribute these votes among the candidates however they’d like.

This method can be particularly useful for corporate elections where shareholders are voting.

Let’s see how cumulative voting operates, how results are calculated and why it’s an ideal system to enhance shareholder representation.

What is cumulative voting?

Unlike traditional voting methods where each voter casts one vote per candidate, cumulative voting allows voters to assign a given number of votes (or points) across various candidates in an election. The number of votes is based on the shareholding of the elector.

For example, if a shareholder owns 12 shares, they would be granted 12 votes to distribute as they see fit. If there are 5 candidates, that elector can choose to:

  • Assign all 12 votes to 1 candidate
  • Allocate votes in any combination that’s fits their preference.

This flexibility ensure that shareholders can strategically support candidates who aligns with the values and goals.

The election organizer can decide whether voters must allocate all of their votes of if they can choose to allocate fewer votes than the total amount allowed.

Cumulative Voting: Empowering Shareholders

Calculating results in Cumulative Voting

Once all the votes are cast, the next step is to calculate the results. Here is how it works:

  • One seat election: After votes are cast, a vote counting algorithm tallies to total number of votes allocated to each candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins.
  • Multi-seat election: In the case where multiple positions are up for election (such as electing several board members), the candidate with the highest percentage of vote will win the first seat, the second highest percentage will win the second seat and so on until all the positions are filed.

Why should you use Cumulative Voting for your shareholder election?

There are several advantages to using cumulative voting for shareholders elections:

  • Increased influence of minority shareholders

Cumulative voting particularity benefits minority shareholders by allowing them to concentrate their votes on one candidate, increasing their influence despite owning fewer shares. If multiple minority shareholders allocate all their votes to the same candidate together, it gives them more power to influence the outcome of the vote.

Because of this increased influence, minority shareholders are more likely to engage in the voting process and feel like their votes matter. This leads to better participation and a stronger sense of ownership.

  • More flexible voting

Voters have more control over how they allocate their votes. They can support a single candidate of spread their votes across multiple candidates. This flexibly allows more thoughtful voting and better representation.

How to run a cumulative election?

If you have looking to implement cumulative voting for your next election, Simply Voting offers and easy to use platform that allows cumulative voting and ensures security and transparency throughout the process.

To learn more about how cumulative voting works and how to setup your election, check-out our step-by step guide.

Get started with cumulative voting today, create your free online voting tool here!

5 Things You Might Not Think of When Preparing for Online Voting

Posted on by Clémence Campillo

In the world of elections, online voting stands out as a convenient and efficient option for various organizations, including homeowners’ associations, unions, sport clubs, political parties and corporate entities. Ensuring a smooth and fair online voting process requires careful planning and consideration of several essential factors. Here’s 5 things you may overlook when preparing for online voting:

1. Check Your Bylaws and Regulations

Before diving into online voting, it’s crucial to review your organization’s bylaws. These often outline specific requirements for conducting elections, including rules on voting procedures and eligibility criteria. Additionally, consider if there are any regulatory bodies or governmental entities that prescribe rules for elections in your jurisdiction. Adhering to these guidelines ensures your election is legal and trusted by everyone.

2. Educate Stakeholders to Online Voting

Introducing online voting requires buy-in from all stakeholders. Educating members, shareholders, or residents about the process and its benefits can avoid concerns and build confidence in the system. Clearly communicate how the online voting platform works, the security measures in place, and the timeline for the election. 

3. Plan Voter Assistance

Not everyone may be familiar with online platforms or comfortable navigating digital interfaces. Planning for voter assistance is essential to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. Consider offering technical support for those who may encounter difficulties when casting their vote online. Providing clear instructions and troubleshooting tips can enhance the voting experience for all participants.

Additionally, maintaining clean and up-to-date voter records is crucial in minimizing potential issues. Ensuring accurate data helps prevent access difficulties, reduces errors, and streamlines the voting process for a smoother experience overall.

4. Define Ballot Details

The ballot itself is at the heart of any election. Decide upfront on key details such as:

  • Abstention: Will voters have the option to abstain from voting on certain issues?
  • Required Documents: Will you need to include any documentation to the ballot?
  • Candidate Information: Will you include pictures, biographies, or other details alongside candidates’ names to help voters make informed decisions?

Clarity on these aspects ensures transparency and helps maintain the integrity of the election process.

Don’t hesitate to check our help guide to help you setup your ballot.

5. Time Dedication and Setup

Consider how much time and resources your organization can dedicate to setting up and managing the election. Choosing to delegate the management of your election to Simply Voting can free time for your organization to focus on what matters most, while also reducing stress regarding the voting process.

CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION

Make Voting Simple: Our New Voting Website is Live!

Posted on by Clémence Campillo

We are excited to announce the launch of our redesigned voting website starting December 16th 2024 for most accounts and continuing throughout the first months of 2025 for accounts with premium features, customized voting websites and clients that are in the middle of an election process.

As we are committed to always improving the voter experience, this new design offers a clean, modern look that is both visually appealing and user-friendly. Fully optimized for all devices, it ensures a seamless experience whether electors are browsing on a desktop, tablet or smartphone.

Key Features and Improvements

– Enhanced Accessibility

This refreshed layout aims to inspire confidence, improve usability and offer a smooth effortless experience. With a strong focus on accessibility, the site is designed to be inclusive for all users, providing easy navigation and clear content.

– User-Friendly Design

The new voting website incorporates:

  • A responsive design that adapts to different devices
  • Intuitive navigation for a smoother user experience
  • Simplified content presentation

The new website now includes a progress indicator, a feature designed to reduce abandoned ballots by guiding voters through the process.

Overall, the redesign enhances both the aesthetic and functional elements of the website, streamlining the voting process for electors and ultimately fostering increased participation. By creating a more intuitive and visually appealing interface, we aim to empower voters and make their experience as seamless as possible.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

We value your input and are committed to continually enhancing your voting experience. We’ll be gathering research and feedback from users to make further improvements.

Explore your new voting website now!

Introducing a New Feature: Un-finalization

Posted on by Brian Lack

Simply Voting is committed to provide an easy and flexible election manager to allow all election organisers to set up smooth stress free elections. With the objective of always improving our services and offer, we are happy to announce the launch of a new feature: Un-finalization.

We understand that finalizing your election can be stressful as last-minute changes might come up. Whether it is to accommodate a last-minute candidate, to fix a typo or to modify your electors list. Flexibility is the key to ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the voting process.

That is why we are introducing the new feature: “un-finalization”, which allows you to call-off your finalization in order to make the necessary changes to your election. Once the changes are made, you will be able to re-finalize the election at no additional cost if you still have the same number of electors. If you added electors, you will be offered to pay for an upgrade.

To learn more about this new functionality and how to use it, please visit our help guide or visit our help portal. 

With this new functionality, managing your elections becomes easier, more efficient and more stress free than ever.

Simply Voting remains committed to enhancing its platform with tools that support seamless election management. The new un-finalization feature is part of our ongoing efforts to provide election organizers with maximum control and adaptability throughout the process.

This update reflects our dedication to listening to client needs and addressing the challenges that come with managing elections. We understand the importance of delivering a reliable system that empowers organizers to handle their elections with confidence. As we continue to innovate, we remain focused on making elections easier, more efficient, and stress-free for all.

Contact us

Setting User Permissions with Roles

Posted on by Brian Lack

Finding ways to enhance customer experience is always a driving force at Simply Voting, and because of this we are pleased to announce our new Roles feature for streamlining user permissions.

Accounts on Simply Voting often have multiple organizational users, since managing elections sometimes isn’t just a one person job, or other stakeholders might be involved in helping keep elections transparent and auditable. If you are still sharing a single user login among organizational staff – we would encourage you to review best practices and create individual users (click here to learn more)!

To facilitate managing multiple users, we’ve launched roles. Roles provide a set of permissions which can be applied to multiple users, and to get you started you will find several default roles reflecting popular groups of user permissions.

Customers also have the option to create their own more nuanced roles (click here to learn more). For instance, a “scrutineer” role might have permissions related to read-only access to the Electors, Results, and Reports sections, but no access to any other sections within an election.

Any edits to the defined permissions for custom roles like this, such as say updating the scrutineer role to also include full access to the Account Log section, would then update the permissions of all users assigned to this role – saving you the headache of updating each user one by one and ensuring everything is the same across the board for the group of users.

We hope this feature enhancement helps keep your user management simple! Don’t hesitate to contact Support if you have any issues, questions, or concerns.

Protecting Your User Account: Two-Factor Authentication

Posted on by Brian Lack

In today’s world, data security is paramount. Protecting your organization’s data wherever it may be is a critical element of any organization’s security practices and policies. And when it comes to voting events and elections run on Simply Voting, security goes hand-in-hand with election integrity.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication (2FA), put simply, is an added layer of security that can be enabled by users on your organization’s account. Two-factor is shown to significantly decrease the risk of an account breach by combining two forms of protection — something ideally only you should know (e.g. your username and password) with something only you have available (e.g. your mobile device). Simply Voting supports two-factor authentication through any number of reliable authenticator applications.

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication on your User Account

The handy Election Manager Guide’s Account Management section covers how to enable and disable two-factor authentication. To enable it, you’ll need your mobile device. Then Simply log into your account as you normally would, and proceed to the Security section of your account. Locate the Two-Factor Authentication section and follow the instructions provided. Once completed, you will see a notice that your account is protected.

Logging into the Election Manager with Two-Factor Authentication

When you attempt to log into the Election Manager tool, you’ll use your username and password just like before. After that step, you’ll also be prompted to complete a secondary login element related to two-factor authentication, as shown in the screenshot below and in this FAQ item in our Help section.

Security Check-up

Finally, while in the Security section, take a moment do a security check-up on your password as well. Are you using it with any other website? Is it sufficiently secure? Are your security questions up-to-date? When in doubt, take those extra steps to help protect both your account and the integrity of your voting events and elections on Simply Voting.