ElectionChamp
Run Contract Ratification Votes Online
Present contract terms to your members, collect a binding ratification vote, and document the outcome — all with an encrypted, auditable process that holds up to scrutiny.
Contract Terms on Ballot
Key provisions displayed directly for voter review.
Ratify / Reject
Clear, unambiguous accept or reject format.
Secret Ballot
Members vote their conscience without pressure.
Defensible Records
Timestamped audit trail for legal and regulatory compliance.
Present Contract Terms Members Can Actually Review
Ratification votes are high-stakes — the outcome is legally binding. ElectionChamp lets you present key contract terms, a summary of changes from the previous agreement, and links to the full document directly on the ballot. Members see exactly what they're voting on before they cast their vote.
For simple ratifications, a single ratify/reject vote works perfectly. For complex agreements with multiple components, you can break the vote into separate ballot items — ratify the wage package, vote separately on the benefits changes, approve or reject the work rules independently.
Sample Ratification Ballot
What your members will see
Definitive Results With a Complete Paper Trail
Contract ratification results need to be bulletproof. When voting closes, ElectionChamp calculates results instantly and produces a complete record — exact vote counts, participation rates, timestamps, and a full audit trail proving the integrity of the process.
The documentation shows that every voter was authenticated with a unique key, that each member voted exactly once, and that results were calculated programmatically without human intervention. This is the kind of documentation that holds up in grievance proceedings, labor board reviews, and legal disputes.
Ratification Results
Calculated instantly on close
Contract Votes Across Organizations
Ratification isn't just for unions. Any organization that needs member approval for a binding agreement can use this process.
Unions & Labor Orgs
Collective bargaining agreement ratification, tentative agreement votes, strike authorization, memoranda of understanding. Secret ballot voting protects members from employer or peer pressure during high-stakes decisions.
HOAs & Condo Boards
Management company contract approvals, vendor agreements for landscaping, maintenance, or renovation. Members vote on significant contracts that affect assessments and community quality.
Cooperatives & Credit Unions
Service provider agreements, merger proposals, partnership contracts. Member-owned organizations often require formal member approval for contracts above a certain threshold.
Nonprofits & Charities
Major vendor contracts, partnership agreements, executive compensation packages. Board or member approval documented for donor accountability and regulatory compliance.
Professional Associations
Conference venue contracts, technology vendor agreements, insurance carrier selections. Member vote on contracts that significantly impact dues or member services.
Businesses & Corporations
Shareholder approval for M&A agreements, executive compensation plans, major vendor contracts. Documented board or shareholder ratification for corporate governance records.
Features That Make Ratification Votes Bulletproof
When the outcome is legally binding, the process needs to be unimpeachable.
Contract Summary on Ballot
Present key terms, changes from the previous agreement, and links to the full document. Members review and vote in one place — no separate document hunting.
Secret Ballot Guarantee
Encrypted, anonymous voting ensures members vote their true position. No one — not the union leadership, not the employer, not ElectionChamp — can see how any individual voted.
One Member, One Vote
Each member gets a unique 16-digit voting key. The system enforces one-vote-per-member with cryptographic certainty. No ballot stuffing, no duplicate voting, no proxy manipulation.
Legal-Grade Audit Trail
Every action timestamped: when each ballot was sent, opened, and submitted. Results calculated programmatically. Documentation that holds up in grievance proceedings and labor board reviews.
Automated Member Reminders
Ratification votes need strong participation to be legitimate. Email and SMS reminders automatically reach members who haven't voted, driving turnout without manual chasing.
Vote From Any Device
Members vote from their phone, tablet, or computer — at home, on break, or between shifts. No need to attend a meeting or visit a union hall. Participation is dramatically higher.
Set Up Your Ratification Vote in 6 Simple Steps
Most organizations have their ratification vote ready to launch in as little as 5 minutes.
Enter Election Details
Name your vote (e.g., "2026 CBA Ratification"), describe the agreement being voted on, and set your voting window.
30 secondsConfigure Settings
Enable secret ballot voting, set notification channels, and configure your audit trail and results visibility settings.
30 secondsBuild Your Ballot
Add the contract summary with key terms. Set voting options to ratify/reject. Include a link to the full agreement document.
2 minutesUpload Your Member List
Import your membership roster via CSV. Each member gets a unique, secure voting key. The system validates your list automatically.
1 minuteCustomize Notifications
Edit the member communications, add your union or organization branding, and schedule reminders to maximize participation.
30 secondsReview & Launch
Preview the entire vote. When it's ready, launch. Members receive secure voting links immediately via email and SMS.
Done!Ratification Votes Start Free
Small executive committee ratifications (up to 20 members) are completely free. Larger membership-wide votes are priced by voter count. Every feature included — secret ballot, audit trail, reminders.
See Full Pricing- 15-member board contract voteFree
- 200-member local ratification$10
- 500-member HOA vendor vote$25
- 1,500-member union CBA vote$75
- 3,000-member regional ratification$150
- 8,000-member statewide vote$400
Contract Ratification Questions
Yes. When anonymous voting is enabled (which it is by default), ballots are encrypted and there is no way to connect any individual voter's identity to their vote. The system records that a member voted, but not how they voted. This separation is enforced cryptographically, not by policy.
You can include a summary of key terms directly on the ballot and provide a link to the full contract document (hosted on your website or a file-sharing service). For most ratification votes, a clear summary of material changes plus a link to the complete agreement is the most effective approach.
Yes. You can structure the ballot with multiple items — vote on the wage package, vote on benefits changes, vote on work rules — each as a separate ratify/reject question. Or you can do a single up-or-down vote on the entire agreement. It's your choice based on your organization's process.
ElectionChamp provides secret ballot voting with authenticated, one-member-one-vote enforcement and a complete audit trail. Most unions find this exceeds the procedural requirements for ratification votes. However, specific legal requirements vary by jurisdiction and contract language — consult your union counsel for your particular situation.
If members vote to reject, you have a clear, documented result showing the exact margin and turnout. Your negotiating team returns to the bargaining table, and when a revised agreement is reached, you run a new ratification vote. You can create as many elections as needed — each produces its own independent documentation.
Absolutely. The ratify/reject format works for any binding member decision — contract ratification, strike authorization, memoranda of understanding, return-to-work agreements. The process is the same: present the question, collect the vote, document the outcome.
ElectionChamp supports both email and SMS notifications. If you have members' phone numbers, they'll receive a text message with their voting link in addition to (or instead of) email. Automated reminders go out on both channels. For ratification votes where participation matters, the dual-channel approach significantly increases turnout.
No. Only the election administrator (your designated contact) has access to results, and even they can't see individual ballots when anonymous voting is enabled. You control when and how results are shared. The platform does not share results with any third party.
More Than Contract Votes
Board of Directors Elections
Elect board members with candidate bios
Bylaw Amendments & Policy Votes
Formal member approval for rule changes
Budget & Fee Approvals
Member vote on budgets and assessments
Officer & Leadership Elections
President, chair, treasurer races
Nominations & Write-Ins
Collect and process nominations online
Polls, Surveys & Motions
Non-binding polls and formal motions
Get Your Contract Ratified — The Right Way
Set up in as little as 5 minutes. Free for up to 20 voters. No credit card required.
Questions? support@electionchamp.com