ElectionChamp
How to set up weighted voting
Give some voters more say than others, such as owners of larger units or delegates who represent more members, with one extra column in your voter list.
To set up weighted voting in ElectionChamp, add a weight column to your voter list and give each voter a whole number, such as 1, 2 or 3. A voter with a weight of 3 counts as 3 votes. Weighting works with every voting method and is included on every plan. The results show weighted totals. Decimal weights are not supported.
When to use weighted voting
Weighted voting fits any group whose governing documents give members unequal votes. Common cases:
- HOAs and condo associations that allocate votes by unit or lot
- Cooperatives or companies that vote by shares held
- Federations where each delegate represents a different number of members
Confirm with your bylaws and counsel how votes are allocated before you assign weights. ElectionChamp applies the numbers you enter.
How to add a weight column
- Build your voter list in a spreadsheet with the usual columns, such as name and email.
- Add a weight column. Enter a whole number for each voter, such as 1, 2 or 3.
- In step 4 of the setup wizard, Voter list, upload the CSV or Excel file. You can also type voters and weights into the grid.
- Spot-check a few rows against your records.
- Finish the remaining steps and launch. The voter list locks at launch, so weights cannot change after that.
Converting percentages to whole numbers
Weights must be whole numbers, and decimal weights are not supported. If your documents allocate votes as percentages, multiply every share by the same number until they are all whole. The proportions stay identical, so the outcome does too.
| Unit | Ownership share | Weight to enter (share x 100) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit A | 12.5% | 1250 |
| Unit B | 8% | 800 |
| Unit C | 4.25% | 425 |
Weighted voting example
Example: a 6-unit condo association elects 1 director. Under its bylaws, four smaller units carry a weight of 1 and two larger units carry a weight of 3, for a total weight of 10.
Four owners of the smaller units choose Lee. Both owners of the larger units choose Okafor. The results show weighted totals:
| Candidate | Weighted total | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Okafor | 6 | Yes |
| Lee | 4 |
By head count, Lee would win 4 ballots to 2. With weights, Okafor wins 6 to 4.
Weighting with every voting method
Weights work with every voting method in ElectionChamp, including ranked choice, approval, cumulative and motions. A voter's ballot counts according to their weight, and the results show weighted totals. See voting methods for how each method counts.
Weighted voting is included on every plan with no add-on. Your price is based on voters plus extra keys, as shown on our pricing page. Ballots stay anonymous: administrators see whether a voter voted, never their choices. If you also need spare slots, read about extra voter keys.
Weighted Voting Questions
No. Weights must be whole numbers. Multiply every weight by the same factor, such as 100, to turn percentages into whole numbers without changing the proportions.
No. It is included on every plan. Price is based on voters plus extra keys.
All of them. Weighting works with every voting method, and the results show weighted totals.
No. The voter list locks at launch. Check every weight in step 4 before you launch.
Check your weights before launch
Email support@electionchamp.com with questions about your weight column before you launch. Email support is free for administrators and voters.
Questions? Email support@electionchamp.com