How It Works
A practical, open-source platform for running private, verifiable online elections. This page explains the process, the safeguards, and the limits of what the system can do.
Choose how voters get access
Registered voters
Import email addresses, phone numbers, or both. Voters can verify by email or SMS, and VoteKit can send each person a private one-click ballot link.
Anonymous code pool
Generate a fixed quantity of single-use codes and links without uploading a voter roll. VoteKit stores only secure hashes and each credential can submit one ballot.
The Voting Process
An election is announced
When a decision is put to voters, an election is created with a clear question, background information, and a voting period. A single shareable link is generated that can be posted on social media, sent via email, shared in messaging groups, or even printed as a QR code on a flyer.
You click the link
The link takes you to the election page where you can read the question, review any background material, and understand what you're voting on. No app to download, no account to create.
Verify your eligibility
Depending on the election, use your registered email or phone, open your private one-click link, or enter an anonymous single-use voting code. The credential confirms eligibility without being attached to the completed ballot.
Cast your vote
Once verified, you'll see the ballot with all questions. Depending on the question type, you'll select your answer, choose from options, or rank your preferences by dragging them into order. You can review everything before submitting.
Get your receipt
After submitting, you'll receive a unique receipt code. Saving it is optional. After results are published, it lets you view the recorded choices it identifies and confirm they match how you voted, without linking the ballot to your identity.
Results after close
Results are only revealed after the voting period ends. No one -- not even administrators -- can see results while voting is still open. This prevents tactical voting and ensures everyone votes based on their own views.
Voting Methods
Each election can include multiple questions, and each question can use the voting method best suited to the decision being made.
Yes / No
The simplest form of voting. A clear question is asked and voters choose either Yes or No.
Example:
"Should the party support the proposed legislation on renewable energy targets?"
Best for: Binary decisions, motions, policy positions where there are two clear options.
Multiple Choice
Voters choose one option from a list of possibilities. The option with the most votes wins (simple plurality).
Example:
"Which issue should be the party's top priority for the next parliamentary session?"
Best for: Choosing between several distinct options where a single preference is all that's needed.
Ranked Choice (Preferential / IRV)
RecommendedVoters rank all options in order of preference (1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, etc.) by dragging them into order. This uses Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) -- the same method used in Australian federal elections.
Example:
"Rank the following candidates for the policy committee:"
How IRV counting works:
Count first preferences. Every voter's #1 choice is tallied.
Check for a majority. If any option has more than 50% of votes, it wins.
Eliminate the lowest. The option with the fewest votes is eliminated.
Redistribute votes. Anyone who voted for the eliminated option has their vote transferred to their next preference.
Repeat until one option has a majority. The full round-by-round count is displayed in the results so you can see exactly how votes flowed.
Best for: Elections with more than two options where you want to ensure the winner has broad support, not just the most first-preference votes. Prevents vote-splitting and "wasted" votes.
Condorcet (Pairwise Comparison)
AdvancedVoters rank all options in order of preference, just like Ranked Choice. But instead of eliminating candidates round by round, every option is compared head-to-head against every other option using the rankings. If one option beats all others in direct comparison, it's the clear winner.
Example:
"Rank the following policy approaches for housing reform:"
How Condorcet counting works:
Pairwise comparison. Every option is matched against every other option. Using the rankings, the system counts how many voters prefer A over B, B over A, and so on for every possible pair.
Check for a Condorcet winner. If one option beats every other option in head-to-head matchups, it wins outright. This is the strongest possible mandate -- a majority prefers this option over every alternative.
Resolve cycles (if needed). Sometimes preferences are cyclical -- A beats B, B beats C, but C beats A. When this happens, the Schulze method is used to find the winner by calculating the "strongest paths" of preference through all candidates.
Condorcet vs Ranked Choice (IRV) -- what's the difference?
Both use ranked ballots, but they count differently. IRV eliminates the least popular option each round and redistributes votes -- like a series of runoff elections. Condorcet compares every option against every other option simultaneously.
Condorcet is generally considered more thorough because it always finds the option with the broadest support. IRV can occasionally eliminate a broadly popular "compromise" candidate early if they have fewer first-preference votes.
When to use which: Use Condorcet when finding the option with the widest consensus matters most. Use IRV when the process should mirror familiar Australian preferential voting.
Best for: Finding the option with the broadest consensus. Particularly good for policy decisions where the "least objectionable" choice may be more important than the most passionately supported one.
Privacy & Security
Anonymous Voting
Your vote is stored separately from your identity. The system records that you voted (to prevent double-voting) but cannot link your identity to how you voted. Not even administrators can see individual votes.
One Voter, One Vote
Only verified voters on the electoral roll can vote. Each voter can only vote once per election, enforced at the database level. Email verification codes expire after 10 minutes and are limited to 3 per hour.
Verifiable Results
After voting, you receive a unique private receipt code. You can use it to view the anonymous recorded choices it identifies and confirm they were included in the final count.
Open Source
The entire platform is open source. Anyone can inspect the code to verify that it works correctly and that votes are handled securely. Transparency builds trust.
View source code on GitHubFrequently Asked Questions
Can anyone vote?
No. Only voters whose email address is on the verified electoral roll can vote. Eligibility is confirmed by email verification before a ballot is issued.
Can I change my vote after submitting?
No. Once your vote is submitted, it cannot be changed or withdrawn. This is why you're shown a review screen before final submission. Take your time to make sure you're happy with your choices.
Can administrators see how I voted?
No. The system is designed so that your identity (that you voted) is stored separately from your actual vote. There is no technical way for anyone -- including administrators or developers -- to link a specific vote to a specific voter.
When can I see the results?
Results are only available after the election is formally closed. Return to the election link and verify with your registered email or phone, or enter the same anonymous voting code. This confirms eligibility without connecting you to your ballot. An election Owner may separately choose to publish results publicly.
What is my receipt code for?
Your receipt code is proof that your vote was recorded. After results are published, you can view the anonymous recorded choices identified by that receipt and confirm they match how you voted and were included in the count. The receipt is not linked to your identity.
Are these elections binding?
That depends on the person or organisation running the election. Each election description will state whether it is binding or advisory. The platform itself is simply a tool for conducting carefully managed elections.
Ready to vote?
Elections are not listed publicly. Open the election-specific link you were given and follow its email, SMS, personal-link, or anonymous-code instructions.