Write-in nominations: how typed names are counted

How write-in nominations work

To collect nominations, add a question on the Ballot step and choose Nominations under Voting method. The question has no list: members write in names. Total winners sets how many names each member can write in, and the ballot says so, for example Nominate up to 3 candidates. Nomination questions are the only place in ElectionChamp where members can write in a name. Turn on Ask for comments if you also want a comments box under the question.

The results count the same name together, whatever its capitals, and show how many times each name was entered. Each name can be up to 60 characters. Ballots are anonymous, so the count shows the names nominated, never who nominated them.

Spelling variants show as separate entries

Grouping ignores capital letters, but not spelling. "priya shah" and "Priya Shah" count as one name. "Priya Sha" counts as a different name, and so do "Tom Reyes" and "Tomas Reyes".

How to cut down on spelling variants

• Use the voter instructions on the question to ask members to type the nominee's full name as it appears on the membership list.
• Share a list of eligible members with the nomination notice, if your rules allow it.
• Agree in advance how the committee will treat obvious misspellings, and write it down.

Check your bylaws and counsel for nomination rules, such as how many nominations a candidate needs to qualify.

Run nominations first, then the election

Election ballots have no write-in field. A regular election question offers only the candidates you list, so members cannot add a name there. Plan two separate votes:

1. Create a nomination election with one nomination question per position, and set a clear deadline.
2. When it closes, review the counts, combine variants under your rules and confirm each nominee is willing to stand.
3. Create the election. To save retyping, open My elections, find the nomination election under Past elections and click Make a copy, with Also copy the voter list ticked. Every voter gets a new key. On the copy's Ballot step, switch each question to Plurality or Ranked and type the confirmed nominees, with photos and bios if you like. The copy keeps the old voting dates, so pick new ones on Start.
4. Choose one of the voting methods for each position, such as plurality or ranked choice, and launch.

Step 3 needs a new election because a ballot locks at launch. Each election is priced on its own, so for the 85-member PTA, nominations cost $10 and the election costs $10. Groups of 20 or fewer pay nothing for either. See pricing, online nominations and the nominating committee's guide.