{"id":13319,"date":"2026-10-25T18:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T00:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/blog\/?p=13319"},"modified":"2026-10-12T00:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:00:15","slug":"sample-ballot-templates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/blog\/sample-ballot-templates\/","title":{"rendered":"Sample Ballot Templates for Boards, Bylaws, and Votes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Short answer:<\/strong> A sample ballot template is a ready-made ballot you edit for your own vote. A good one states the election name, the deadline, and how many choices each voter gets. It lists the options in a fair order, with write-in lines and an abstain box where your rules allow them. Copy the free board election, bylaw amendment, ratification, and ranked choice ballots below.<\/p>\n<p>This post gives you the wording. For layout, fonts, and accessibility, read our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/blog\/how-to-create-the-perfect-election-ballot-design-tips-best-practices\/\">election ballot design<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>What to Include on a Sample Ballot<\/h2>\n<p>Every ballot, paper or online, needs the same core parts. A missing deadline or vote limit is where most counting arguments start.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Election name and deadline<\/strong>, with date, time, and time zone.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Instructions above each question<\/strong>, including how many choices are allowed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A contest heading:<\/strong> the office and seats, or a plain title for the measure.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Options in a stated order.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Write-in lines and an abstain option<\/strong>, if your rules allow them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Return instructions<\/strong> for paper, plus a reminder not to sign a secret ballot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Free Sample Ballot Templates<\/h2>\n<p>The document holds four ballots. Check each rule against your bylaws before it goes out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Download:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/electionchamp-sample-ballot-templates.docx\" download>Sample Ballot Templates for Boards, Bylaws, and Votes (Word .docx)<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"ec-template\" style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:12px;padding:20px 24px;background:#F8FAFC\">\n<p>Fill in the blanks and delete the ballots you do not need. Check every rule against your bylaws, and have counsel review any vote that could be challenged.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BALLOT 1: BOARD ELECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>[Organization Name] Board of Directors Election<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Voting closes: ________ (date, time, and time zone). Seats: ____ open, each for a ____-year term.<\/p>\n<p>Instructions: Vote for up to ____ candidates by marking the box next to each name. To vote for a person not listed, write the name on the write-in line and mark its box. Ballots that mark more than ____ candidates will not be counted for this contest. Do not sign this ballot.<\/p>\n<p>Candidates are listed in ________ order (alphabetical, drawn by lot, or random).<\/p>\n<p>[ ] ________ (Candidate 1)<\/p>\n<p>[ ] ________ (Candidate 2)<\/p>\n<p>[ ] ________ (Candidate 3)<\/p>\n<p>[ ] Write-in: ________<\/p>\n<p>[ ] I abstain from this contest.<\/p>\n<p>Return this ballot to ________ by ________.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BALLOT 2: BYLAW AMENDMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>[Organization Name] Proposed Amendment to Article ____, Section ____ of the Bylaws<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Title: ________ (one line that says what the change does)<\/p>\n<p>Summary: ________ (two plain sentences on what changes if it passes)<\/p>\n<p>Current text: ________<\/p>\n<p>Proposed text: ________<\/p>\n<p>Passage requires ________ (the threshold in Article ____ of the bylaws).<\/p>\n<p>A YES vote adopts the proposed text. A NO vote keeps the current text. Mark one box.<\/p>\n<p>[ ] Yes, adopt the amendment<\/p>\n<p>[ ] No, do not adopt the amendment<\/p>\n<p>[ ] Abstain<\/p>\n<p><strong>BALLOT 3: BUDGET OR CONTRACT RATIFICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>[Organization Name] Ratification Vote: ________ (budget, contract, or agreement)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Question: Do you approve the ________ (document name and date) as presented to members on ________?<\/p>\n<p>Key terms: ________ (total amount, term, effective date, and any change in dues or assessments)<\/p>\n<p>Full document: ________<\/p>\n<p>An APPROVE vote ratifies it. A REJECT vote does not. If rejected: ________ (for example, the current budget stays in effect). Passage requires ________ under ________ (bylaw or contract section).<\/p>\n<p>[ ] Approve<\/p>\n<p>[ ] Reject<\/p>\n<p>[ ] Abstain<\/p>\n<p><strong>BALLOT 4: RANKED CHOICE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>[Organization Name] ________ Election (Ranked Choice)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Instructions: Rank the candidates in order of preference. Write 1 next to your first choice, 2 next to your second, and so on. Use each number once, and give each candidate only one number. Rank as many or as few candidates as you like, up to ____.<\/p>\n<p>Counting method: ________ (for example, instant runoff, single transferable vote, or a points count, as set in your rules).<\/p>\n<p>Rank: ____ ________ (Candidate 1)<\/p>\n<p>Rank: ____ ________ (Candidate 2)<\/p>\n<p>Rank: ____ ________ (Candidate 3)<\/p>\n<p>Rank: ____ Write-in: ________<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>How to Use Each Ballot Template<\/h2>\n<h3>Board Election Ballot Template<\/h3>\n<p>Set &#8220;vote for up to&#8221; to the number of open seats. Say what happens to a ballot that marks too many names, since deciding that early removes a common counting dispute. Keep write-in lines only if your bylaws permit write-ins.<\/p>\n<p>For an HOA ballot template, add each seat&#8217;s term length. Check your declaration for whether each lot gets one vote or a weighted vote.<\/p>\n<h3>Bylaw Amendment Ballot<\/h3>\n<p>Show the current and proposed text, or mark deletions in strikethrough and additions underlined.<\/p>\n<p>The Center for Civic Design&#8217;s guidance on <a href=\"https:\/\/civicdesign.org\/writing-ballot-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">writing ballot questions<\/a> recommends an informative, active title and a plain explanation of what each choice does. Add the passing threshold and the article that sets it.<\/p>\n<h3>Budget or Contract Ratification Ballot<\/h3>\n<p>Name the exact document and its date, so no one can claim they voted on a different version. Summarize key terms as facts and attach the full document. Say what happens if the vote fails.<\/p>\n<h3>Ranked Choice Ballot<\/h3>\n<p>Tell voters to use each number once and give each candidate one number. For printed grid ballots, the Center for Civic Design&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/civicdesign.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/CCD-RCV-Best-Practices-Ballot-Design-2022-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ranked choice ballot guidance<\/a> notes that up to 5 ranks fits two contests side by side.<\/p>\n<p>Name the counting method, because instant runoff, STV, and points-based counts can pick different winners from the same ballots. In ElectionChamp, ranked choice uses a Borda Count variant (first rank earns the most points) and multi-seat STV races are counted with our <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/features\/voting-methods\/#stv\">free STV Excel calculator<\/a> from the exported rankings. See our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/blog\/how-to-set-up-ranked-choice-voting-for-your-organization\/\">setting up ranked choice voting<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Ballot Wording Best Practices<\/h2>\n<p>Neutral wording protects the result. A ballot that reads as if it favors one side gives the losing side a reason to challenge it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Describe the change in facts.<\/strong> &#8220;Raise annual dues from $________ to $________&#8221; is neutral. &#8220;A modest increase&#8221; is advocacy. Put arguments in a separate voter guide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Write in the positive.<\/strong> Avoid double negatives, such as a yes vote that repeals a ban.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use everyday words<\/strong> and short sentences.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Put instructions where they apply.<\/strong> &#8220;Vote for up to 3&#8221; belongs in each contest heading.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use sentence case and left-aligned text.<\/strong> The Center for Civic Design&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/civicdesign.org\/fieldguides\/designing-usable-ballots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">usable ballot guidelines<\/a> say lowercase text is more legible than all capitals, and left-aligned text is easier to read than centered text.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Match the labels to the question.<\/strong> &#8220;Do you approve&#8221; gets Approve and Reject.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How to Order Candidates on a Ballot<\/h2>\n<p>Candidate order affects results. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbur.org\/news\/2015\/12\/14\/ballot-order-effects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WBUR reported<\/a> that Stanford researcher Jon Krosnick found being listed first gave a candidate an average 2-percentage-point advantage in 85 percent of the Ohio races he studied over 10 years. Pick one method and write it into your election rules:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alphabetical by last name.<\/strong> Easy to explain, though it always favors the same end of the alphabet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Drawing by lot<\/strong> in front of the candidates, with the result recorded.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Random order per voter.<\/strong> Online tools can shuffle the list on each ballot, spreading the first-position advantage. ElectionChamp offers this as a ballot setting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Listing incumbents first makes it look as if the board picked a favorite.<\/p>\n<h2>How Abstentions, Blank Ballots, and Write-Ins Are Counted<\/h2>\n<p>Under Robert&#8217;s Rules of Order, blank ballots and ballots with every name crossed out are treated as abstentions, meaning no vote at all. That is the position in <a href=\"https:\/\/robertsrules.com\/official-interpretations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Official Interpretation 2006-5<\/a>. An abstain box makes the choice explicit and lets you report abstentions separately.<\/p>\n<p>A rule based on votes cast leaves abstentions out of the math. Under a rule based on members present or all members, an abstention has the same effect as a no. Print your bylaws&#8217; rule on the ballot.<\/p>\n<p>For write-ins, decide before voting opens how you will treat misspellings and ineligible names, and confirm it with your bylaws and counsel.<\/p>\n<h2>Turning a Ballot Template Into an Online Ballot<\/h2>\n<p>Each paper element has an online equivalent. The table uses ElectionChamp&#8217;s settings as the example.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ec-table-scroll\" style=\"overflow-x:auto\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">On the paper template<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Online ballot setting<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Vote for up to ____ candidates<\/td>\n<td>&#8220;Select up to&#8221; set to the number of seats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Write-in line<\/td>\n<td>No write-in field on election questions. Collect names first with a nomination question, then list the nominees as candidates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Abstain box<\/td>\n<td>Allow Abstain, with abstentions shown separately in results<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Yes or No amendment, Approve or Reject budget<\/td>\n<td>Motion question (yes, no, abstain); word the question so &#8220;yes&#8221; means approve<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Rank 1, 2, 3<\/td>\n<td>Ranked choice question, counted with Borda points. For STV, export the ranked results to the free STV Excel calculator<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Do not sign this ballot<\/td>\n<td>Anonymous ballot with a single-use voter key<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>One ballot can mix question types, so a board race, an amendment, and a budget vote can go out together. Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/how-it-works\/\">how online elections work<\/a> for the full flow from voter list to results.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What should be included on a ballot?<\/h3>\n<p>Include the election name, the voting deadline, and instructions above each question that say how many choices are allowed. List options in a stated order, and add write-in lines, an abstain option, and return instructions where your rules call for them.<\/p>\n<h3>How do you word a bylaw amendment ballot?<\/h3>\n<p>Use a one-line title that says what the amendment does, show the current and proposed text, and explain what a yes and a no vote each mean. State the passing threshold and the bylaw article that sets it.<\/p>\n<h3>Should candidates be listed in alphabetical order on a ballot?<\/h3>\n<p>Alphabetical order is common, but research shows the first-listed candidate tends to gain votes. Drawing by lot or randomizing the order for each voter spreads that advantage. Write your method into your election rules.<\/p>\n<h3>Do abstentions count as votes?<\/h3>\n<p>Under Robert&#8217;s Rules of Order, abstentions and blank ballots are not votes cast. If your bylaws require a majority of members present or of all members, an abstention has the same effect as a no vote.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What should be included on a ballot?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Include the election name, the voting deadline, and instructions above each question that say how many choices are allowed. List options in a stated order, and add write-in lines, an abstain option, and return instructions where your rules call for them.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do you word a bylaw amendment ballot?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Use a one-line title that says what the amendment does, show the current and proposed text, and explain what a yes and a no vote each mean. 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Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/how-it-works\/\">how online elections work<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/features\/\">the full feature list<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/electionchamp.com\/pricing\/\">see pricing<\/a>: free up to 20 voters, $10 up to 200, then $0.05 per voter.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Copy four free sample ballots for board elections, bylaw amendments, ratification votes, and ranked choice, with wording and candidate order tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13317,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-getting-started"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ 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