Online Voting FAQs

How is my vote collected?
Your vote response and lot number is collected in Google Forms. We have set up a separate and unique account that has restricted access.

Why are we using Google Forms?
It is easy and free. There are many online voting platforms on the market but all cost money. Part of the reason for this change is to save the membership the cost of printing and mailing ballots as well as making it easier for members to vote.

How much will online voting save the membership?
Savings will include the small cost of paper and envelopes, but the biggest cost savings will be in stamps. Each election costs around $100 to mail the ballots to members. If we also provide return stamps, that is another $100. Time savings for preparing the paper ballots will also be saved but some time will be offset by the set up time for each online election.

Who will have access to the voting platform?
Board President: Will have full time access and be considered the election director.

Teller Committee: Will be granted limited time access after the deadline for an active election has past to verify the election and vote count. After the election is verified, access will be revoked from the Teller committee.

Volunteers: The Board President may grant limited time access to volunteers familiar with the Google Platform to help set up the election under their direction. After the election is set up, access will be revoked from those volunteers.

How long do I have to vote?
Each election will have a deadline set in accordance with the bylaws (30 days) and no votes will be counted after that deadline.

How is the online tabulation process different from the paper ballot process?
Not much. The paper ballot process requires that the Teller committee separate the ballots from the envelopes that include the lot number on them. The lot number on each envelope is how the correct number of votes are collected per property. The online vote will be verified the same way.

Will my vote be confidential?
Yes, as much as the current system is. Just like the paper ballots, there are a few people on the Teller committee that will have limited time access to the data that is collected to verify that each lot only votes twice. Teller committee members will NOT be checking HOW individuals vote, just that they have. The Teller committee members will govern each other to make sure the confidentiality is respected just as they do with paper ballots.

Can I vote more than once?
Yes, we are unable to restrict a member from voting more than once (ex- someone forgot they voted and voted again or decided to change their vote) but only the two most recent votes cast per lot will be counted. This is called an over vote. Owners with more than one property will be asked to vote twice for each lot. It is the job of the Teller committee to verify the vote count is correct (ie- only 2 votes per lot number). Under votes will not be corrected or added.

Will the votes be shared with the members?
After the lot numbers are verified, the vote is certified and the results announced. Raw data will be shared with the members to show the summary vote count, not the individual votes.

What if I don’t have a Google account?
You don’t need a Google account to vote on this platform. Elections will be announced via email invitation and will include a link to the ballot. The Ballot will also be available in the Voting Section of the website.

Do I need to be a registered Sportsmen’s Paradise website user to vote?
No. You can use the link sent in the election email invitation to vote.

What do I do if I don’t receive an email for an election?
Double check what email you have on record with the office. It is important to keep this up to date at all times so you don’t miss out on all important announcements and elections.