ElectionBuddy

Overview

ElectionBuddy is voting software for organizations running elections, ballots and meetings, with remote and in-room participation. It best fits groups that need more than a basic poll: configurable ballot rules, multiple ways to notify voters and results that can be reviewed later. Its per-use plans offer clear voter limits, but some elections need a separate subscription to keep results beyond 30 days.

Key features

Voting and ballots

Voters can participate by cellphone, computer, tablet or mail, whether they are remote or attending a meeting. ElectionBuddy supports first past the post, cumulative, preferential ballot, STV, scored voting, rating scale and approval voting. That breadth suits organizations with specific election rules, though a group running a simple vote may not need so many choices.

Ballots can include multiple vacancies, randomized candidate or question order, edited descriptions, highlighted amendments and struck-out words, as well as documents and website links. These options help organizers present context and handle more involved elections without reducing every ballot to a single question.

Notices, records and security

Voter notices can go by email, mail or text, or through an organization’s website, e-newsletter or existing systems. Microsoft Azure SSO, WordPress, Zapier and Zoom are listed integrations. APIs can add voter lists, administrators, departments and organizations; webhooks can update external systems when voters vote or register. The API and webhook features are specifically included in the Professional ElectionVote plan, so groups that need them should account for its price and voter cap.

ElectionBuddy forces HTTPS with TLS and HSTS, is PCI DSS compliant, and encrypts payment data before sending it to Stripe. Customers own account data, which is not purged during the account lifetime and can be exported in XML, CSV or Microsoft Excel formats. Results and the voting process can be audited and independently reviewed, with downloadable records for inquiries and recounts while voter anonymity is protected. Email support is included with subscriptions; phone support comes with Expert Setup services.

Pricing

ElectionBuddy is freemium, with free options for small votes and paid plans billed per use or annually. The per-use charges are tied to an election or meeting rather than a monthly subscription, while annual subscriptions cover storage or results-related needs.

The free election plan is suitable for a small vote if 30 days of result access is enough; keeping results beyond that period calls for the 27.00 USD annual Storage Subscription. Plus ElectionVote raises the cap to 350 voters, but SMS costs an additional $29. Premium includes SMS and three reminders and raises the limit to 1,000, making it a better fit when notices and follow-up matter. For very large elections or system connections, Professional supports up to 100,000 voters and adds API access and webhooks.

MeetingVote scales separately: the free tier allows five motions for up to 20 voters, Plus allows 20 motions for up to 75, and Premium allows 30 motions for up to 350. Professional raises the cap to 20,000 voters and removes the motion limit, at a substantially higher per-use price. The Platinum annual subscription adds results storage and three administrators; its voter credits cost $59 per 500. Check which election or meeting plan applies and whether ongoing storage is needed before budgeting. The free plans are capped at 20 voters, and the stated overall voter limit is 350, so larger needs should be matched to the relevant Professional plan.

Platforms

ElectionBuddy is available on Android, iOS and the web. Its voting methods also allow participation by mail, which can include voters who do not take part through a device.

Who it's for

Professional associations, unions, universities, homeowner associations, schools, political parties, governments, churches and companies are among the organizations using ElectionBuddy. It is a stronger fit for groups that need defined voting methods, tailored ballots or auditable records than for those seeking only a casual, low-stakes poll.

Pros and cons

• Broad voting formats: Support for ranked and other voting systems, including STV and cumulative voting, accommodates varied election rules.
• Flexible ballots and notices: Ballots can carry supporting documents and links, while notices can reach voters through several channels.
• Reviewable records: Auditable, downloadable results support inquiries and recounts while preserving voter anonymity.
• Small free-plan ceilings: Both free options stop at 20 voters, and ElectionVote results are accessible for only 30 days without storage.
• Costs rise with scale and retention: Larger elections require more expensive per-use plans, and results storage or SMS may add separate charges.

Alternatives

Online Voting Software is the broader category to explore when comparing voting tools. Consider AssociationVoting for a free election of up to 25 eligible voters or a 26–125 voter election priced at $99 per election. SnapBallot offers a free election for up to 15 voters and a 16–250 voter tier for $49 per election, a lower-cap alternative for smaller groups. Election Runner has a free tier up to 20 voters and a 100-voter plan for $19 per election, for readers comparing lower-cost election-sized pricing.

Simply Voting is another freemium voting option with a free tier for elections of 10 electors or less. CharterVote offers a free web-based Starter plan for up to 25 eligible voters per election, with results and hosted verification kept for 36 days. OpaVote may suit groups wanting an API and web option: its free plan allows up to three simultaneous elections, each with up to 25 voters and 10 candidates, with email notices and data retained for up to 10 weeks. ElectionChamp has a free-forever election plan for up to 20 voters with email and SMS notices and one reminder. VoteHost Elections is another free option.

Verdict

Choose ElectionBuddy if your organization needs a configurable election or meeting vote, especially when multiple voting systems, voter notices and reviewable results matter. Its clearest trade-offs are the 20-voter free-plan cap, limited free result access and added cost for scale or retention. For a small, straightforward vote, a simpler lower-cap alternative may be enough; for a larger event, match the appropriate Professional plan to the election or meeting format.