Internet Voting

Election Consulting Group can assist your organisation to migrate from a traditional paper-based voting system to include an Internet based voting option.

For the Voter - internet voting is convenient, quick, easy and accurate. It can provide almost immediate feedback of results. All a voter needs is access to the Internet, anywhere in the world, in order to participate in an Election, Collective Agreement Ballot, proxy vote, or survey. Each voter is issued with a randomly generated Personal Access Code, which is used to vote once only.

For the Client - internet voting can decrease operation costs to the organization by reducing the need for physical voting locations, paper documentation, postage, and by minimizing the requirements for staff resources and valuable time.

The Election Consulting Group utilizes our partner platform and software eLect. Our clients can count on reliable, and purpose built software, to manage confidential data and Ballot or Election with complete integrity and the highest level of encryption. eLect software has been audited by BMM Australia prior to being utilised in the 2007 Federal Election electronic voting trial. All counting methods are available such as - First Past the Post, Proportional Representation (including variations) and Preferential Voting.

Importantly, your confidential Data, Election or Ballot is hosted in Australia on a highly secure Defence Signals Directorate approved site used by Government.

WHAT - Internet voting for:

Collective Agreement Ballots
Board of Directors Elections
Consultative Committee Elections
Proxy Voting
Surveys
Tailored Ballots i.e. Levy Ballots

WHO - Clients who use Internet Voting:

Government Departments
Companies
Clubs and Associations
Credit Unions
Student Unions

WHY - Use Internet voting:

When voters are geographically dispersed
Flexibility is required with last minute additions or deletions to the voter role.
Time constraints require fast deployment of voting literature – by email.
Postal voting is currently utilized and the organisation wishes to expedite the process
Voting is non-compulsory so convenience is critical to maximize participation rates
Eliminates the need to print large volumes of paper ballot packs at considerable cost particularly if a low percentage or return is expected

WHERE - Internet voting is commonly used in the following situations:

All voters have access to their own email addresses and computers
Voters are in regional areas overseas
When the timeline is short and does not allow for postal voting
Ideal for small to large number of voters
Voters on-leave, may vote from home, an internet café or library.
On leave or remote employees can be offered a “limited postal ballot”
Great “hybrid” option when used with Post or Telephone voting.
Appeals to Gen X & Y participation

How to vote using the Internet for a Collective Agreement Ballot

Voter

Voter is identified using a minimum of 2 forms of identification either:

Employee payroll number, AGS number, Member number, Name, Date of Birth

and a "unique" Personal Access Code

Receive Ballot instructions with Personal Access Code, distributed by mail or email before the Ballot opens

• Log onto SECURE Website by clicking onto an email hyperlink or by typing URL into browser

• Provide authentication details by typing them into Log-in page and pressing enter

• Read on-line instructions and view Ballot Paper

• Select your choice

• Voter reviews the completed Ballot Paper, makes amendments or corrects errors if necessary

• Submit FINAL vote

Receive acknowledgement from Internet voting system confirming receipt of vote

Once the Personal Access Code is consumed the voter can only vote once

Internet

• Election Consulting Group receives a "Certified" True and Accurate Database

• Data is checked for duplication or other erroneous data

• System generates a “unique” Personal Access Code

• System set up in accordance with Collective Agreement Ballot Rules and tested

• Ballot automatically opens and closes at the pre-determined published times

System confirms /authenticates details and provides access to electronic Ballot

• System asks voter to confirm selection and advises voter of any omissions or errors

• The voter is asked to click on the "submit" button

• The system accepts the vote selection and consumes the “unique” Personal Access Code on database

• Marks off the voter as already voted to prevent further access to the system

System sends voter a confirmation "thank-you for voting" the ballot has been recieved and accepted

A separation of voter and vote into two separate databases results in a secure and anonymous ballot.

The Election Consulting Group’s Returning Officer generates reports and provides an interim result, then final certification of the count and a full report

Processes are fully auditable and hosted on a secure Australian-based site with high encryption levels


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