ElectionChamp
Extra voter keys for latecomers
Your ballot and voter list lock when the election launches. Extra keys leave room for the members you missed.
Extra voter keys are blank, unassigned voter slots you add to your voter list before launch. Because the ballot and voter list lock once the election launches, extra keys are how a latecomer or a missed member can still vote. We recommend adding 5 to 10. They count toward your election's capacity, so they count toward the price the same way a named voter does.
What extra voter keys are
An extra key is a voter slot with no name or contact details attached. Nobody holds it until you decide to give it out.
You need them because the ballot and voter list lock at launch. After that you cannot add a row to the list. A member who joins the week of the vote, or a name left off the spreadsheet, can still vote if you planned a few spare keys. A vote cast with an extra key is anonymous, like every other ballot; see what admins can see.
How many extra keys to add
We recommend 5 to 10 for most elections. Think about how your list was built. A list exported from a membership database on the day you launch needs fewer. A list pieced together from sign-up sheets needs more, and so does a group that accepts new members right up to the vote.
An unused extra key casts no ballot, so it has no effect on the result. If your bylaws set a quorum, measure turnout against your real member roll.
How to add extra keys before launch
- Open step 4 of the setup wizard, Voter list.
- Upload your CSV or Excel file, or type voters into the grid.
- Add the number of extra keys you want as blank, unassigned slots.
- In step 6, Review and launch, check the price. It is based on voters plus extra keys.
- Select Submit Election. From this point the list is locked.
How extra keys affect your price
Price is based on total capacity, which is your voters plus your extra keys. Setup and testing are free, and you pay by card at launch. See pricing for the full table.
Example: how extra keys change the price of four elections.
| Voters | Extra keys | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 5 | 20 | Free |
| 18 | 5 | 23 | $10 |
| 190 | 10 | 200 | $10 |
| 490 | 10 | 500 | $25 |
Watch the second row. An 18-member group that adds 5 extra keys moves past the free limit of 20 voters.
Using an extra key during the election
When a latecomer asks to vote, first confirm they are eligible under your bylaws. Then give them one unused extra key. Keep your own note of who received each one, because the slot has no name attached. They vote like everyone else, in a browser with no app or account, and the key stops working once their ballot is submitted.
Extra keys work well alongside printed manual keys at a meeting. For help preparing the list itself, read how to import and manage your voter list.
Extra Voter Keys Questions
No. The ballot and voter list lock at launch. Add extra keys before launch so you have spare slots for latecomers.
They count toward capacity, and price is based on voters plus extra keys. Adding keys can move an election past the free limit of 20 or above 200 voters.
We recommend 5 to 10 for most elections. Add more if members can join right up to the vote.
Yes. Every ballot is anonymous. Administrators can see whether a key was used, never what the voter chose.
Plan your voter list with us
Email support@electionchamp.com with your member count and any questions about extra keys. Email support is free for administrators and voters.
Questions? Email support@electionchamp.com