Internet Voting

Electoral Reform Services (ERS) has developed a proprietary internet voting system that is secure, user-friendly, flexible and very cost effective.

ERS has been at the forefront of providing e-democratic services since 2000. Our secure internet voting platform is now used by hundreds of clients each year and offers the reassurance of proven resistance to hacking and attacks. Clients who have tested and approved it include financial institutions, accountancy firms, government bodies, law firms, companies, professional institutes, universities, students' unions and membership organisations of every type and size. Every year the ERS internet platform also plays a central role in the UK's official voter registration program, as it is chosen by over 200 Local Authorities to provide an e-registration service that enables millions of voters to register to vote via the internet.

The ERS internet voting system is very easy to use. First, ERS adapts its generic internet voting platform into a customised website for a particular election, ballot or proxy vote, with a unique address. The website can reflect our client's corporate identity and incorporate any relevant election literature such as candidate statements. Next, ERS distributes the address of the voting website to all voters by either e-mail or post, plus a unique Security Code which the voter uses to log in to the site. If e-mail is used, the address is supplied as a link so voters can click straight through to the voting website. To enter the secure area of the site, voters must input their Security Code. They can then view the election materials and cast their vote. If they make a mistake (for example trying to vote for two candidates when they are only allowed to vote for one) they are informed they must change their vote before it can be accepted and counted.

ERS internet voting can be used as a sole voting method or combined with postal voting, telephone voting or text (sms) voting to maximise voter convenience and hence increase turnout. Our internet voting websites are very flexible: they can be customised to reflect your branding, and they can support voting for any kind of election, referendum or ballot. The whole system has been developed in accordance with AA accessibility standards to maximise usability by visually impaired and other disabled voters. It is also compatible with all internet browsers and operating systems.

Internet voting is often the most cost-effective balloting method. If it is combined with e-mail distribution of Security Codes, it saves clients from having to spend money on print and postage. It also reduces an organisation's carbon footprint. Even if internet voting is just offered as an additional voting channel, it will lower postage charges and/or call charges, whilst encouraging greater participation.

Where appropriate, internet voting can also be combined with an online survey. Our Research division will then design a suitable research questionnaire, integrate the survey into the voting web site, and receive and analyse the responses.

To try our internet voting demonstrations, please click on the links below. Please note for demonstration purposes only, the PIN numbers can be re-used.

For an internet election using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, click here to use:
Security Code Part One 101101
Security Code Part Two 1234

For an internet election using the 'First Past The Post' system, click here to use:
Security Code Part One 102102
Security Code Part Two 1234

For a Yes / No internet referendum, click here to use:
Security Code Part One 103103
Security Code Part Two 1234

For an AGM Proxy vote , click here to use:
Security Code Part One 123456
Security Code Part Two 1234