Voting in SimpleVote
How members cast a ballot with a magic link. No account required.
How to vote in SimpleVote (3:00 video walkthrough)
Overview
If you received an email invitation, you are voting in an election run on SimpleVote. You do not need an account or password. Your returning officer sends you a personal link by email. You open it once, rank the candidates, and submit.
What is Scottish STV?
Most SimpleVote elections use Scottish STV (Single Transferable Vote). You put candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one. Ranking more names does not hurt your first choice: it gives your vote another path if your top preference is eliminated or elected with surplus votes.
Using your magic link
Check your inbox for an email from your returning officer. The link works once only. Open it when you are ready to vote on a private device and do not forward it.
Ranking candidates
Drag candidates from the list into your ranked ballot. Put your favourite first (1st preference), then your next choice (2nd), and continue as far as you wish. You do not have to rank everyone.
Candidate profiles
Tap Info beside a name to read their statement and photo in a new tab, then return to rank.
Privacy and security
SimpleVote does not link your email to how you ranked candidates after you submit. Your returning officer can see whether you voted, not your choices.
Viewing results
After voting closes, your organisation may publish a public results page and email you the link. What you see depends on the voting method for each ballot.
Scottish STV (Single Transferable Vote) shows round-by-round charts: how votes move as candidates reach the quota, are elected, or are eliminated. The mockup illustrates a typical STV results view.
Scottish STV on BBC Bitesize — how STV works for Scottish council elections
First past the post lists candidates by vote totals; the top vote-getters fill the vacancies (one winner per seat unless the ballot states otherwise).
First past the post (Electoral Commission) — short video explainer
Approval voting lets you tick every candidate you are happy to support. Winners are the candidates with the most approvals across the ballot.
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