Ballot and Election Services

Our UK and international ballot services include:

• advice on electoral systems and balloting procedures, timetables and good electoral practice;
• designing nomination forms, ballot papers, proxy forms, election statements and other documentation;
• assisting with the drafting of ballot rules and related constitutional paragraphs, as well as with the format and wording of referendum questions;
• ensuring compliance with current legislation;
• giving practical and effective help with the prevention of electoral fraud;
• attending committee meetings, steering groups and working parties concerned with the election;
• managing the actual election or ballot process and solving any unforseen problems that may arise;
• an in-house, fully interactive 24-hour internet voting system and freephone telephone service, available as an addition or alternative to postal balloting to improve access without compromising security; and
• handling the planning, implementation and scrutineering of votes at AGMs and conferences.

Vote counting services

It is crucial that an election is not only conducted fairly, but that it is seen to be conducted fairly. The involvement of an independent, external returning officer can make a substantial difference to the perception that even the most critical of voters might have of the ballot procedure.

Amongst the services offered in this area are:

• receipt, count and audit of papers received;
  
• scanning equipment for automated counting and analysis of elections, ballots, proxy votes, questionnaires and surveys;
  
• provision of an independent returning officer to ensure that the ballot procedure is fair and impartial; and
  
• preparing certified reports of election results for publication and court applications.

ERS' solution is highly flexible and can cover those specific tasks that the client wishes to outsource. Alternatively, we can provide total project management for ballots or elections on any scale.