FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers before your election starts.
Branding, security, voter rosters, notices, results, timing, and hosted election requirements—explained clearly.
BRANDING, SECURITY & OPERATIONS
Everything important, in plain English.
What is an ABM Managed Election?
An ABM Managed Election is a hosted election service in which Association Ballot Manager configures the election environment, applies your organization branding, sets up voter access, hosts the voting workflow, and provides results and available election records after closing.
Can the election look like it belongs to our organization?
Yes. ABM can present your organization name, logo, election instructions, contact information, and branded email elements so voters receive a professional organization-branded experience.
Where do voters go to vote?
Voters receive the appropriate hosted election URL or a unique Secure Mode ballot link, depending on the election configuration. The voting experience is presented around your organization’s election identity.
What does Secure Mode do?
Secure Mode can issue unique voter-specific ballot links, store hashed access credentials, and encrypt newly submitted ballot selections using AES-256-GCM. HTTPS/TLS protects browser-to-server traffic in transit.
Can voters use a standard shared URL instead of Secure Mode?
Yes. Elections can be configured for standard voter verification or Secure Mode. In standard mode, eligible voters verify against the approved roster using their roster email address and Membership ID.
Does ABM automatically create Membership IDs?
No. The organization supplies a unique Membership ID or account-style identifier for each voter in the roster. Avoid sensitive identifiers such as Social Security numbers.
What information do we need to provide?
Typical inputs include your organization name, election title, opening and closing dates, time zone, approved ballot choices or candidates, final voter roster, Membership IDs, eligibility information, organization logo, and any authorized election instructions.
Can ABM send election notices?
Yes. Managed Elections can include standard election notices. Additional reminder campaigns can be added when needed, and your organization may also distribute voter access information through its own communication channels when appropriate.
What happens after voting closes?
ABM provides the election results and available audit or export records appropriate to the election configuration. Certification or legal acceptance of results remains the responsibility of the organization and its authorized election officials or advisors.
Can ABM handle paper or mailed ballots?
Print and mail support can be quoted separately based on ballot volume, printing requirements, postage, return method, and project complexity.
How quickly can an election be launched?
Turnaround depends on the completeness of the voter roster and approved ballot instructions. Rush setup under three business days and same-day emergency setup may be available for an additional charge.
How is election data retained?
Retention, export, and deletion requirements should be confirmed for the specific election. Tell ABM about any statutory, governing-document, litigation-hold, or organizational retention requirements before the election is configured.
Does ABM guarantee legal compliance?
No. Association Ballot Manager provides election technology and administrative services. It does not provide legal advice or guarantee the legal validity of an election. Your organization remains responsible for legal requirements, voter eligibility, governing documents, and election approvals.
What if we have more than 5,000 eligible voters?
ABM provides custom pricing for elections above 5,000 voters and for complex, high-volume, or special-service election requirements.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
Tell ABM about the election you’re planning.
We’ll help identify the right hosted election tier and any optional services you may need.