Because of their diverse clientele, credit unions benefit more from digital voting than from traditional voting. Digital voting systems increase accessibility, allowing participants from anywhere to vote. However, secure software is essential to protect a digital voting system.
Why Use Secure Voting Software for Credit Unions
While no system is entirely secure, online voting software remains highly dependable. Traditional in-person voting methods increase the risk of lost ballots, miscounting and other human errors. Also, insider threats pose a significant concern when internal parties fabricate results from within an organization.
Digital voting can reduce these risks, since platforms automate many processes and produce results faster. Most online voting providers offer end-to-end encryption to protect voting data as it travels between the user’s device and the credit union’s facility. While digital voting poses its own cybersecurity risks, it remains more reliable than manual voting.
Benefits of Online Voting Software
Beyond its security benefits, online voting software also aids credit unions in other ways, including by enhancing accessibility, improving compliance and making operations run smoothly.
Higher Voter Turnout
One challenge with traditional voting for credit unions is that their client base is often not geographically concentrated. This separation makes it difficult for clients to travel to a manual voting place, leading to results that do not reflect the people’s actual will. Online voting software enables users across the region to participate from their mobile devices, making the voting process easier and the results more accurate.
Improved Regulatory Compliance
Voting procedures often require complex regulations that can be difficult for credit union employees to navigate. Digital voting platforms can check compliance on their own and alert employees if they detect a violation. This process reduces human error and can save hefty violation fines later. It also saves time, since workers will focus on regulatory compliance only when needed.
Enhanced Operational Ability
Because manual voting relies on individual team members, it can be slow and extensive. Sometimes it takes credit unions days to release the results. With a digital platform, voters can receive outcomes quickly. It counts votes, records identities and releases the results efficiently. Digital voting reduces common issues and eases the burden on workers.
Top Secure Voting Software Providers
Even with the benefits, there are many security concerns with a credit union’s digital voting software. Since it is online, there is a higher risk of cybersecurity attacks. Executives can discover where to buy secure voting software for credit unions to ensure the utmost safety for key results. The following is a comprehensive list of the top secure voting software providers.
1. Survey & Ballot Systems
Survey & Ballot Systems is the top provider of secure voting software. It offers virtual voting solutions, as well as in-person and hybrid options. The provider works with credit unions and other organizations, too. It is dependable and secure, meeting Section 508 compliance requirements. In terms of customer support, the provider offers help throughout the entire voting process. It also gives in-depth reports so that business professionals can interpret trends.
The company has over 150 million voters and over 70 five-star reviews. It also has over nine awards and certifications, as well as more than 800 elections a year. Survey & Ballot Systems services voter pools of all sizes. It creates a custom voting management system to meet its clients’ individual goals and bylaws.
2. Votem
Votem is an online voting software for credit unions and other organizations. It practices compliance and holds many certifications. The platform is cloud-native and has encrypted ballots with AI voter fraud detection. For additional security, the system detects tamper-evident audit trails.
The provider’s monitors are virtually independent, and it offers credit union board election software. Its services are end-to-end, providing help desk support, custom vote designs and many other features throughout the process. Its platform supports many mobile devices and browsers. The company has facilitated over 13 million votes and served companies in 42 states.
3. Simply Voting
Simply Voting is a full-service, web-based online voting tool. Its process is seamless and secure. Interested clients can even try it for free. The platform provides anonymous voting and has a knowledgeable, welcoming staff. The provider’s process includes election setup, actual voting and instant results.
For elections specifically, Simply Voting offers managed elections, online voting, do-it-yourself (DIY) voting, telephone voting and hybrid elections. Since 2003, it has served credit unions and other industries. Its website has multiple customer reviews with high ratings. The provider also features over 6,000 customers.
4. ElectionRunner
ElectionRunner is a secure, cloud-based voting platform that uses Voter IDs and Voter Keys, along with 250-bit encryption. Users can access the vote from any location with internet and on many devices. Clients can create a free election via their website. They can also design their elections using the credit union’s logo and identifying colors.
The provider offers email ballots for extra convenience. It also makes it easy to import ballot and voter information from a spreadsheet into its program. ElectionRunner complies with Section 508 and provides calculations and charts for easy viewing. The customer support response time is eight minutes during business hours for its clients’ convenience.
5. WeChooz
WeChooz is a Paris-based electronic voting application that currently serves over 4,500 organizations. Its platform is secure and straightforward, offering help with legal information and online voting. Voters can access it through many different types of mobile devices. The provider is also compliant with CNIL 2019 and GDPR.
WeChooz saves time by adapting to the client’s needs and tracking votes easily. Its website has many positive reviews and an informative blog on online voting and other topics related to the organization. It provides many additional resources on electronic voting to create a more informed client base as well.
6. Voxaly
Voxaly offers functional, compliant and organized electronic voting for organizations. It utilizes the newest technology to deliver a seamless experience. Headquartered in France, the provider works alongside many different companies, including private, local and public.
It has a simulation tool that helps clients plan upcoming elections using a calendar. Voxaly also offers personalization features to make the experience and voting process specific to each client. The website has an informative blog and highlights its over 4,000 customers and over 215 million voters. It also offers hybrid solutions for both in-person and remote voting, depending on the voter’s preference.
7. Miro Voting Plugin
Miro Voting Plugin enables seamless online voting. It lets clients display their ideas easily for collaboration, and allows voters to cast their votes from anywhere with an internet connection. Digital teams can collaborate using the platform for other purposes as well.
Any member of the company can create an election through the service. Participants can vote by simply joining an active voting session. The sessions are customizable to suit the company’s needs and allow executives to view the voting process as the results come in. The provider also offers many additional apps to aid clients.
Software Provider Comparison Table
The following table outlines some key features of each provider for quick comparison.
| Provider | Security | Compliance | Platform |
| Survey & Ballot Systems | Industry-leading encryption | Section 508 | Custom voting management system |
| Votem | Encrypted ballots, AI voter fraud detection and tamper-evident audit trails | Many certifications | Cloud-native platform |
| Simply Voting | Regular penetration tests and daily scans | Trusted by credit unions | Web-based online voting tool |
| ElectionRunner | Voter ID, Voter Keys and 250-bit encryption | Section 508 | Cloud-based and custom design |
| WeChooz | 100% simple and secure solutions | CNIL 2019 and GDPR | Electronic voting |
| Voxaly | Advanced technology | Trusted by organizations from different sectors | Electronic voting |
| Miro Voting Plugin | Easy participation in sessions | Works with Miro applications | Free plugin from Miro |
Methodology Behind Provider Selection
Each provider offers various key features, including their security protocol, compliance status and platform type. The ranking highlights each provider’s security capabilities.
Conduct a Digital Election
When launching an online voting software, business professionals must understand the importance of security and choose a provider with the top security capabilities. Credit unions benefit from online voting because it allows their extensive client base to converge on a single platform and reach a unified decision. In an increasingly digital world, credit unions can stay ahead of the game by conducting online elections.