CharterVote vs ElectionBuddy

CharterVote is a web platform for associations and member bodies to run board elections, motions, referenda, and quick polls. Members verify eligibility once and receive accreditation for a single ballot, which they can cast anonymously using an access code without making a CharterVote account. Members can check whether ballot receipts were included, compare published results with retained evidence, and verify winner certificates through public checks. CharterVote says it uses HTTPS with strict security headers and rate limits sensitive actions. It says it collects only data needed for an election and lets account holders export or erase their data. Enterprise elections can split the ballot-box key among trustees so no single person, including CharterVote, can open results alone. The service is intended for groups such as unions, cooperatives, professional associations, faith groups, alumni networks, and student bodies. The free Starter plan covers up to 25 eligible voters per election, with results and hosted verification kept for 365 days. Paid elections start at $119, paid once for up to 250 voters. Verification does not establish voter identity or intent, device security, or events outside the platform.

ElectionBuddy helps organizations run virtual and in-person elections, votes, and meetings, from notifying voters through recording ballots, calculating outcomes, and announcing winners. Voters can participate remotely or during a meeting using a cellphone, computer, tablet, or mail. Supported systems include first past the post, cumulative, preferential ballot, STV, scored voting, rating scale, and approval voting. Organizers can customize ballots with multiple vacancies, randomized candidate or question order, edited descriptions, amendments, documents, and website links. Notifications can use email, mail, text, or an organization's existing channels. Listed integrations include Microsoft Azure SSO, WordPress, Zapier, and Zoom; APIs and webhooks connect voter lists and voting or registration activity with other systems. Results and voting processes can be independently reviewed and downloaded for inquiries or recounts while preserving voter anonymity. ElectionBuddy requires HTTPS with TLS and HSTS and encrypts payment data before sending it to Stripe. Customers own account data and can export it in XML, CSV, and Microsoft Excel formats. It supports Android, iOS, and web. Free options allow up to 20 voters; paid options include pay-per-use elections and meetings and annual subscriptions.