The eligible roll changes
Local, branch, class, or membership status can affect who may take part in a particular vote.
For unions
A secret union ballot should stay secret from the people running it.
Accredit members, issue single-use voting access, and publish evidence of the count without creating a link between a member and a choice.
No card needed. Small votes can start on the free tier.
The governance problem
The count is only one part of a credible vote.
Union elections combine strict eligibility questions with a strong need for ballot secrecy. Members must not have to trade one for the other.
Leadership races can be contested
Candidate access, write-ins, voting limits, and publication rules need to be configured before ballots are cast.
Secrecy must survive administration
The team approving a member should not gain a way to inspect that member's selections.
A governed workflow
From eligible roll to published record
Use a governed election path for officer races, committee seats, and eligible-member decisions.
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01
Set the offices and rules
Create each office, add candidates and statements, configure voting limits, and decide whether write-ins are allowed.
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02
Approve the eligible roll
Collect the membership details needed for the vote and approve or reject registrations before tokens are issued.
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03
Collect anonymous ballots
Each approved member uses a single-use token, while the stored ballot carries no voter identity.
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04
Show the count holds together
Publish the result with voter receipt checks, a public integrity report, and verifiable certificates for winners.
Defensible benefits
Useful controls, stated without overclaiming.
The strongest fit is a secret, eligible-member election where straightforward plurality or multi-seat voting meets the union's rules.
Member access
Approval before token issuance
Custom registration questions let organisers view the information used to determine eligibility before granting voting access.
Ballot design
Officer races in one ballot
Combine several offices, candidate biographies, voting limits, multiple winners, and moderated or free-form write-ins.
Public confidence
Checks that do not expose choices
Receipt inclusion and the integrity report answer different questions while preserving the boundary around an individual ballot.
An honest boundary
Your rules and legal duties still govern the election.
CharterVote provides election controls and technical evidence. It does not certify compliance with a union constitution, collective agreement, regulator, or labour law. Obtain appropriate advice for your jurisdiction and election type.
Questions before you choose
Frequently asked questions
Can a union organiser see how a member voted?
No. The member registration and the stored ballot are separated. Public receipt checks confirm inclusion without revealing selections.
Does CharterVote support union write-in candidates?
Yes. An office can permit write-ins, and the platform includes review and finalisation controls for write-in names.
Can several officer positions appear on one ballot?
Yes. A single election can contain multiple offices, and each office can have its own candidates and voting limit.
Does using CharterVote guarantee legal compliance?
No. The union is responsible for its governing rules, required notices, eligibility decisions, and applicable law. CharterVote does not provide legal certification.
Start with a real test
Prepare a union election with secrecy built into the record.
Create a team and test the full organiser and voter journey before your voting window opens.