This guide walks you through creating and managing elections in Vlge.
👉 Before You Start
Ensure "Elections" feature is enabled
Verify voter list is up to date
Confirm all residents have the Resident role and addresses
Have ballot content ready
👉 Test vs. Live Elections
Test Elections:
Limited to 5 voters
Used to verify setup
Hidden from history by default
Can be cloned to live
Live Elections:
Unlimited voters
Official, binding results
Full audit trail
👉Creating an Election
Go to Admin Tools → Elections
Click "New Election"
Follow the 5-step wizard
Step 1: Basic Details
Election name and description
Election type (Board Election, Referendum, etc.)
Secrecy level
Household voting mode
Start and end dates
Election Types:
Board Election - used for an election where candidates are presented for one or more seats. Candidate information can be included and members vote.
Meeting Vote - Used for a smaller group to document votes on specific meeting items.
Step 2: Ballot Positions
Add positions (races/questions)
Configure position type (Single Winner, Yes/No, etc.)
Add options/candidates with bios and any attachments
Set allow abstain and randomize order
Add details to any candidates or measures:
Step 3: Voters
For test elections: Select up to 5 specific voters
For live elections: All members, by group, or custom selection
Test Example: Useful for testing the feature and looking at an actual live ballot email and ballot.
Household Voting: Most HOA's have units/houses where the unit has more than one email. When it comes to voting though, only one vote is counted per member household or unit. For the best coverage and participation in an election, you can send the ballot email to all emails, but restrict the voting to one per address. The system naturally excludes "renters" who may have emails associated with a unit for purposes of neighborhood communications, but are not eligible to vote. Owners receive the ballot.
When more than one vote is cast per address, you can decide how that is handled.
First Vote Counts: Only the first vote per home is counted and remaining ballots are prevented from voting ("spoiled ballots")
Last Vote Counts: Only the last vote counts so any vote cast prior will be "spoiled"
Step 4: Notifications
Configure initial ballot email
Set up reminders - Choose specific dates and times for scheduled email notifications to go out to voters who have not yet voted.
Configure results notification
Step 5: Review & Create
Review all settings
Verify voter count
Create as draft or publish
Managing Active Elections
Monitor participation in real-time
Send reminders to non-voters
End election manually if needed
View results after close