--- title: How to Run an Election with Multiple Voting Methods description: Running an election with multiple voting methods requires organizations to decide on a budget, determine how the election will be run, choose the methods of voting, promote the election and calculate the results. image: https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Blog/voting%20methods-1.jpg --- New name, same company. **Election-America is now YesElections.** Welcome! [![logo-03](https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Favicon/YE-LOGO-FINAL.png?noresize)](https://www.yeselections.com) # How to Run an Election with Multiple Voting Methods Published 01/03/2020 by [YesElections](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/author/yeselections) Running an election with multiple voting methods can seem overwhelming. However, implementing various forms of voting can increase turnout and satisfaction because members can choose the option best for them, whether it’s traditional [paper ballots](https://www.yeselections.com/paper-voting) or [voting online](https://www.yeselections.com/online-voting).   ## Multiple Voting Methods: Hybrid vs. Composite  There are two ways to incorporate multiple voting methods: [hybrid and composite](https://www.yeselections.com/hybrid-composite-voting-systems). Both are comprised of online voting, in which members can cast a ballot directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer, and paper balloting, which requires a polling place or mailing services.  ### Hybrid With a hybrid election, members can choose how they vote. All members will be mailed a paper ballot, but have the option to vote online as well.   ### Composite When using the composite method, an organization sends email ballots to members who have provided that information and mails paper ballots to those who have only provided physical addresses. This way, organizations aren’t wasting funds on excess printing and postage.  #### Follow these four steps to run an election with multiple means of voting: ## 1. Determine a Budget Most associations set their annual budgets a year in advance, so all factors affecting the election must be researched and decided upon early in the process. Some considerations include: - Will the association run the election itself or engage an election management agency? - How many voting methods are required? - Which methods are most cost effective? - How will the institution promote the election to achieve the highest voter turnout? ## 2. Decide Who will Run the Election An organization has [two options](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/different-types-of-election-software) when it comes to running elections: operate the contest internally, or hire an experienced election management agency. This decision may come down to whether or not the institution can afford the combination of multiple methods, which approaches will get the most turnout, and which type members want to utilize. The hybrid and composite approaches empower voters by giving them a say in the way they cast their ballot. For some organizations, these two options may not fulfill their needs. If that’s the case, ask your election vendor if a customized plan can be created.  ## 3. Schedule and Promote the Election After deciding on multiple methods of voting, an association should schedule the nomination process and the election date. In the months leading up to the contest, collect emails from members, send e-blasts as reminders, post content on social media to encourage participation, and put a call-out on the website. Make sure all promotions include information about the different voting options, so members are aware they have more than one option to choose from.  ## 4. Tabulate the Results For organizations looking to use multiple methods, it’s important to leave it up to the professionals. Keeping track of online and mailed ballots can become laborious, and votes can get lost or counted twice. Plus, having someone in the organization tabulate the results may not be the [most secure](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/how-to-ensure-your-election-is-secure) option. Hiring an agency can ensure an efficient voting and tabulation process. --- **YesElections has been managing elections with multiple [methods](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/4-common-methods-of-voting) of voting for more than a decade. We monitor the process from nominations to tabulations, and ensure all elections are secure and accurate. For a complimentary consultation, **[**contact us**](https://www.yeselections.com/contact)** today. ** Topics: [Voting Management Systems](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/topic/voting-management-systems), [multiple methods of voting](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/topic/multiple-methods-of-voting) #### Leave a comment ### Subscribe For Blog Updates #### Learn more about the election process with our Ebook: ###### *The Ultimate Guide To Planning & Organizing Elections* [![Download Ebook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4887131/9fa8243c-359d-415d-9d16-3fa77365fbaf.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4887131/9fa8243c-359d-415d-9d16-3fa77365fbaf) ### Featured Posts - [![4 Common Methods of Voting](https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Blog/4%20Common%20Methods%20of%20Voting.jpg)](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/4-common-methods-of-voting) #### [4 Common Methods of Voting](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/4-common-methods-of-voting) --- - [![The Pros and Cons of On-Site Voting](https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Blog/onsite%20ovting.jpg)](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/pros-cons-on-site-voting) #### [The Pros and Cons of On-Site Voting](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/pros-cons-on-site-voting) --- - [![What Should a Homeowners Association Voting Ballot Contain?](https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Blog/YesElections-Blog-Homeowners-Association-Voting-Ballot.jpg)](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/what-should-a-homeowners-association-voting-ballot-contain) #### [What Should a Homeowners Association Voting Ballot Contain?](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/what-should-a-homeowners-association-voting-ballot-contain) --- - [![Top Features Every Online Voting System Should Have](https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/online%20voting-1.jpg)](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/top-features-online-voting-system) #### [Top Features Every Online Voting System Should Have](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/top-features-online-voting-system) --- - [![The Florida HOA Process, Explained](https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/florida%20hoa.jpg)](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/the-florida-hoa-process-explained) #### [The Florida HOA Process, Explained](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/the-florida-hoa-process-explained) --- [More Posts](https://www.yeselections.com/blog) #### Learn more about increasing voter turnout with our Ebook: ###### *A Guide To Membership Engagement* [![Download Ebook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4887131/d076aae9-181e-45c0-be04-760da438b683.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4887131/d076aae9-181e-45c0-be04-760da438b683) #### Help organize and manage your association's contest with our checklist: ###### *The Ultimate Election Checklist* [![Download Checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4887131/9319f825-5ade-4c58-9ebb-18731b3b9276.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4887131/9319f825-5ade-4c58-9ebb-18731b3b9276) [Our Story](https://www.yeselections.com/our-story) [What We Offer](https://www.yeselections.com/election-features) [Who We Help](https://www.yeselections.com/associations) [Resources](https://www.yeselections.com/testimonials) [Blog](https://www.yeselections.com/blog) [Contact](https://www.yeselections.com/contact) [**](https://www.facebook.com/yeselections/) [**](https://twitter.com/yeselections) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/yeselections) © 2026 YesElections Powered by Election America  |  [Privacy & Legal](https://www.yeselections.com/privacy)  |  [Accessibility Statement](https://www.yeselections.com/accessibility-statement) [**](https://www.yeselections.com/blog/how-run-election-multiple-voting-methods#) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "Mineola", "addressRegion" : "NY", "postalCode" : "11501", "streetAddress" : "155 Mineola Blvd Suite 102" }, "alternateName" : "Election-America", "description" : "Election Solutions Tailored to Members’ Best Interests", "email" : "info@yeselections.com", "image" : "https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Favicon/heroimage-yeselections.jpg", "logo" : "https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Favicons/YE-LOGO-FINAL.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.yeselections.com/blog/how-run-election-multiple-voting-methods", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Running an election with multiple voting methods requires organizations to decide on a budget, determine how the election will be run, choose the methods of voting, promote the election and calculate the results. " }, "name" : "YesElections", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/yeselections", "https://twitter.com/yeselections", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/yeselections" ], "telephone" : "866-514-2995", "url" : "https://www.yeselections.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "WebPage", "name" : "How to Run an Election with Multiple Voting Methods", "speakable" : { "@type" : "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector" : [ "How to Run an Election with Multiple Voting Methods", "Running an election with multiple voting methods requires organizations to decide on a budget, determine how the election will be run, choose the methods of voting, promote the election and calculate the results. " ] }, "url" : "https://www.yeselections.com/blog/how-run-election-multiple-voting-methods" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "YesElections" }, "dateModified" : "June 22, 2020, 9:42:38 PM", "datePublished" : "2020-01-03 15:24:00", "description" : "Running an election with multiple voting methods requires organizations to decide on a budget, determine how the election will be run, choose the methods of voting, promote the election and calculate the results. ", "headline" : "How to Run an Election with Multiple Voting Methods", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Blog/voting%20methods-1.jpg" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.yeselections.com/hubfs/Favicons/YE-LOGO-FINAL.png" }, "name" : "YesElections" } } ```