Elections are where governance either earns trust or loses it. Most disputes come from unclear rules or poor communication, not from the outcome itself. A simple, repeatable process keeps the focus on the community rather than the mechanics.
Start with a clear timeline
- Week 1: Announce roles, responsibilities, and time commitment.
- Week 2: Open nominations and share eligibility rules.
- Week 3: Publish candidate statements and hold Q&A.
- Week 4: Run the vote and publish results with participation numbers.
Make the rules explicit
Avoid debates by stating the rules in advance. At minimum, document:
- Who can vote and how eligibility is verified.
- Whether voting is anonymous.
- How ties are handled.
- What constitutes quorum or minimum participation.
Keep the vote defensible
A defensible process is one that can be audited after the fact. It does not need to be complicated, but it does need a clear record of who voted, when, and under what rules.
How OpenCourtyard helps
Use Surveys and Voting to run nominations and ballots with a complete audit trail. Pair it with Newsletters for reminders and Documents for candidate statements.
If you want a ready-to-run election workflow, request a demo.