VoteHost Elections
VoteHost Elections is a self-hosted, open-source platform for running organizational elections.
What VoteHost Elections is
VoteHost Elections is a self-hosted, open-source platform for running organizational elections. It supports single-choice and multiple-choice ballots, ranked-choice voting with IRV or STV, and open-text comments. Votes can be weighted by shares, membership class, or unit while remaining anonymous: the project says ballots are stored without a link to voters, so database access does not reveal an individual's choices. Election organizers can enable write-in nominations, track quorum, randomize candidate order for each voter, send reminders, and email results. Voters enter through a unique email magic link and do not need an account or password. Results can be exported as CSV, XLSX, or PDF, with an anonymized JSON audit package also available. The platform is free and runs on infrastructure the organization manages. Its stated requirements include Linux, Docker Engine, and Docker Compose v2; the README gives 2 GB RAM and 12 GB disk as minimums, with 4 GB RAM and 20 GB disk recommended. Deployment options include a Raspberry Pi, mini PC, VPS, or Proxmox LXC.
Good
- Anonymous ballots are not linked to voters.
- Supports ranked choice using IRV or STV.
- Voters use magic links without accounts or passwords.
- Exports results in CSV, XLSX, or PDF.
- Free and open source.
Watch out
- Requires Linux, Docker Engine, and Docker Compose v2.
- Self-hosting requires organization-managed infrastructure.
- Recommended deployment calls for 4 GB RAM and 20 GB disk.
Who it suits
It suits organizations such as associations, boards, clubs, unions, nonprofits, and student governments that want to run elections on self-managed infrastructure. It is aimed at teams able to deploy and maintain a Linux and Docker setup.
Verdict
VoteHost provides varied ballot formats, anonymity, election tools, and result exports without a listed fee. Its self-hosted deployment and Docker requirements make infrastructure capability an important consideration.
Plans and prices
From VoteHost Elections's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Open source · self-hosted · requires Docker Compose v2 |
The facts
Each one read from VoteHost Elections's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Ballot privacy
- The site says ballots are recorded without a link to the voter, so even an admin with database access cannot tell who voted for what.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- The README describes deployment on a Raspberry Pi, mini PC, VPS, or Proxmox LXC, with Cloudflare Tunnel, Tailscale Funnel, or a user-managed reverse proxy for access.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Election features
- The site lists write-in nominations, quorum tracking, per-voter candidate randomization, automated reminders, and results emails.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Email integrations
- The README says VoteHost supports standard SMTP providers and Resend for invitations, reminders, and results announcements.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Exports
- The site says election results can be exported as CSV, XLSX, or PDF, with an anonymized JSON audit package available.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site names HOAs and condo boards, co-ops and member associations, unions, clubs, nonprofits, student governments, and leagues as intended users.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- VoteHost Elections is a self-hosted, open-source platform for running organizational elections.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The README lists Linux, Docker Engine, and Docker Compose v2 as requirements, with 2 GB RAM and 12 GB disk minimum and 4 GB RAM and 20 GB disk recommended.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Voter access
- Voters receive a unique email magic link and do not need an account or password.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Voting methods
- It supports single choice, multiple choice, ranked choice using IRV or STV, and open-text comments.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Weighted voting
- Votes can be weighted by shares, membership class, or unit while preserving anonymity.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The repository identifies Christopher Dewald as the copyright holder and says he created the project for an organization seeking electronic elections.checked 4 Oct 2026
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