FAQ
Common questions from returning officers, admins, and voters.
Q: Do voters need a SimpleVote account?
A: No. Voters receive a one-time magic link by email. They rank candidates and submit once, with no password or signup.
Q: What voting methods are supported?
A: Scottish STV for multi-seat elections, first-past-the-post, and approval voting. You can run several ballots in one election with one email per voter.
Q: Can the returning officer see how someone voted?
A: No. After a ballot is cast, rankings are stored without the voter's email. Turnout shows whether someone voted, not their choices.
Q: What does the free tier include?
A: Free includes core voting features with a monthly limit on new voters added across your organisation. See Usage for limits and Pro or Enterprise features.
Q: Can I add Managers or other returning officers?
A: On Free and Pro you are the sole user and administrator of your organisation. Manager and ERO roles are available on Enterprise. If you need a team setup, book a demo from our website to discuss affordable custom plans.
Q: Where is data hosted?
A: Core application and database processing use UK/EEA regions (London and Ireland). See our Security page and Subprocessor list for details.
Q: Can I send reminders to people who have not voted?
A: Yes. While voting is open, use Send reminder on the election details page to email non-voters who have not yet cast.
Q: Can I reuse last year's election setup?
A: Yes. Clone an election from the details page to copy ballots and settings into a new draft. Voter lists and dates are cleared for you to update.
Q: Who do I contact for help?
A: Email support@simplevote.org for product questions. Your organisation's returning officer or admin handles election-specific voter list issues.
Couldn't find an answer?
Write your question here and we'll get back to you. You can also email support@simplevote.org.