Beyond the Basics: 5 Uncommon Tips for Running Truly Inclusive, Impactful Digital Co-op Elections
Want to go beyond secure and simple? These 5 advanced insights will help your cooperative run inclusive, effective, and inspiring online elections—with BallotPartner.
🎯 1. Design Ballots That Think Like a Voter
Most digital ballots are technically functional—but many aren’t mentally friendly.
🧠 Here’s what we mean: when a member opens a ballot, they’re usually…
- Busy
- Distracted
- Not sure who to vote for
Uncommon Tip: Use micro-copy and layout to guide them:
- “Step 1: Read the candidate bios.”
- “Step 2: Select up to 3 names.”
- Use white space and visual breaks between sections
✅ BallotPartner lets you customize candidate display order, add photos, and insert short intros that feel like a conversation—not a quiz.
📊 2. Don’t Just Report Results—Tell the Election Story
Too many co-ops send out a results table… and that’s it.
But members want more than numbers—they want meaning.
🎙️ Uncommon Tip: Share a mini-report that answers:
- “How many members voted?”
- “How was this election different from last year?”
- “What are the next steps?”
Even better: include a quote from a winning candidate or a thank-you message from your board chair.
🎯 This builds post-election trust—and it costs nothing but a few minutes of storytelling.
📶 3. Use Digital Voting Data to Identify Your “Silent Majority”
Online elections give you more than votes—they give you insights.
Ask:
- Who never votes, year after year?
- Are some branches more active than others?
- What times do most members actually cast their votes?
📈 BallotPartner’s admin dashboard shows participation patterns. Use this to segment your outreach next year.
Uncommon Tip: Instead of blasting reminders to everyone, try:
“Hey [Name], we noticed you haven’t voted yet. Tap here—it only takes 3 minutes.”
Hyper-personal outreach = more turnout.
🌎 4. Think Inclusive: Build for OFWs and Offline Members
Many co-ops have members abroad or in low-signal areas. Don’t forget them.
🧳 For OFWs:
- Use email plus SMS to reach them
- Offer timezone-friendly voting windows (extend hours by a day if needed)
📵 For offline voters:
- Set up assisted digital voting booths at your co-op office
- Train one staff member or volunteer to walk members through the voting process on a shared device
💡 BallotPartner works well even on low-bandwidth connections and can be operated on basic Android phones.
💡 5. Use Your Election to Reinforce Member Belonging
Your election isn’t just a process—it’s a chance to remind members: “You matter here.”
Here’s what top-performing co-ops do:
- Include a personal thank-you message after voting (“Thank you for shaping the future of [Co-op Name]!”)
- Let voters download a participation certificate
- Add a short poll: “What issue should we focus on next year?”
🎉 This boosts trust and reminds members this is their co-op—not just the board’s.
✅ Final Thought: Build a Voting Culture, Not Just a Voting Platform
Digital elections solve logistics—but BallotPartner helps co-ops build democratic culture. That’s the real win.
When members feel informed, heard, and respected… they vote again. And again.
Want Support Designing a More Inclusive Election?
We don’t just provide software—we partner with you to design a better experience.
👉 [Start with our Standard Plan] or [Book a free election planning session]
Simple and Transparent Pricing
- Starter Plan – FREE for up to 20 voters
- Standard Plan – ₱5,000 for 21–200 voters
- Enterprise Plan – ₱3 per voter for more than 200 voters
No hidden fees. You only pay once the election starts.
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