1. An Introduction to Online Voting/ Surveys
19th November 2015

2. Overview
Established in 2006 by an organisation called iMeta Technologies Ltd
Experts in multi-channel voting (postal/ online/ mobile)
Provide electoral services to both public and private sector organisations
Over 140 clients have used our platform in the last year to run their elections

3. Clients

4. What is e-voting?
Ability to cast vote online through an internet enabled device (PC/ Tablet/ Mobile)
Instruction to vote can be distributed by post or by
Participant can only vote once
Process is typically anonymized so no personal data associated with vote cast

5. Its benefits…
Offers greater convenience to voter – which in turn can increase turnout
Can replace traditional means of balloting, significantly reducing costs associated with the printing, distribution and counting of postal ballots
Real time reporting on turnout provides greater understanding of organisation’s voting behaviour/ metrics

6. Impact of e-voting on turnout
On the whole e-voting generally increases turnout in a ballot
Ballot distribution channel plays a major role in determining how individuals vote
Notable e-voting projects
SNP 2015 candidate selection process - in 47 elections approximately 90% of votes cast online.
Largest turnout in Student Union election (MUSU) - all votes cast online
Recent examples of organisations moving from purely postal ballot to multi-channel approach:
CIHT - 114% increase in 2015 Election of Council (700 to 1500 votes)
ICAS - 66% increase in 2015 AGM
British Dressage - 630% increase in 2014 Director Elections
Royal Aeronautical Society - 100% increase in Council elections
Kensington & Chelsea Housing Association - 47% increase in Board Member elections
e-voting not a silver bullet for increasing turnout
what is being voted on, how the ballots are distributed and also reminders play significant role

7. Security All websites are encrypted (https)
Registered with the Information Commissioners Office
All sensitive data stored in a secure data centre. Voting database only stores details of how a vote was cast NOT who cast it
Only authorised personnel have access to password protected data
Data provided by clients ONLY used for purposes of election
Client date deleted after election
Security codes can only be used once

8. Delivery of Ballots Variety of different channels Postal
Online (via or Post)
Mobile
SMS
Telephone
Inperson/ voting machine
Most popular model in commercial elections appears to be ing of ballots to all members with valid address, postal ballot sent to the remainder.
Over 35% of all votes cast using Mi-Voice are through the mobile channel.

9. How it Works Codes Generated Notification Ballot Reminder Online Post
Client provides membership data in encrypted spreadsheet
Membership Split by Profile
Codes Generated
Communication
Notification
Ballot
Reminder
Member votes
Online
Post
Received by Mi-Voice
Code Checked
Votes collated
Result declared
Mi-Voice Support

10. Walkthrough

11. Communication

12. Ballot

13. Further Information
PDF
Text
Video

14. Voting Process
Select
Confirm
Finished

15. Reporting –
Hardbounces
Opens
Click throughs

16. Reporting - Turnout

17. Considerations Data – quality of e-mail addresses
Membership – attitude towards technology/ desire to change?
Anonymity/ sensitivity of membership data and management of information
Voting process – applicability to voting online
Communication process – both from organisation and Mi-Voice
Support
Nominations

18. Surveys
In addition to voting, the Mi-Voice platform can be used for simple surveys
The system supports a variety of different question types
Surveys can be ‘open’ – anyone can participate or ‘secure’ – a code is required to participate

19. Surveys - Screenshots