Create an election (setup wizard)
Use Election setup to name the poll, add ballots and candidates, then prepare the voter list.
In Elections
Open Election setup
From Elections, create a new election. You land on Election setup: three steps labelled Election, Ballot, and Voters.
On Election (Election details), give the election a clear name members will recognise, optionally set a voting schedule, and choose a folder if you organise the explorer that way. Continue (or Save draft) when the basics look right.
On Ballot (Ballots and candidates), add each position you are electing. For each ballot choose Scottish STV, first-past-the-post, or approval, and set how many vacancies STV should fill. Add at least one candidate per ballot before you continue (or plan to use self-nomination and approve people later). When the ballots are ready, use Continue to voter upload.
On Voters (Voter upload), upload a CSV or type rows. Tick the consent checkbox stating you may email everyone on the list, then Confirm voters. That registers the roll. It does not send invitations yet. You will see a message that points you to Open voting on the election details page when you are ready.
Scheduled start times
If you set a scheduled start, choose a time at least one hour ahead of when you save it. You can still select Open voting earlier from election details once everything is prepared.
Tips that save time later
You can keep editing the draft until voting is open. Confirm voters and Open voting are separate on purpose: finish nominations and proofreading before anyone gets an email. Use Preview ballot on the details page while the election is still a draft.