What is the difference between the two packages?
With equity in mind, we have designed packages that enable communities to run elections themselves; as well as offering an option to out-source the process.
Manage-your-own
You know your community best. An in-school Returning Officer will know who needs to be nudged to stand, who needs support to vote online, and who or what needs special attention as the election proceeds.
The school or your local Returning Officer purchases a licence to use the My School Election software.
The Returning Officer has access to a management dashboard that accepts online nominations for management of candidates. You can also upload an Electoral Roll to the dashboard and manage voters.
Your Returning Officer has full control of the election, does the work, and should get paid for managing the process. S/he has full responsibility (and accountability) for the success of your election.
Support for the Returning Officer includes:
- Comprehensive User Guide
- Free online seminars
- Help Desk
- Quick-guide documentation and video presentation.
Full Service
The Full Service Package means you are naming Bernardine Vester, Managing Director of My School Election, as the Returning Officer.
The default position for this service is online nominations and, for 2023, postal voting.
The electronic service is not available until 2024 or until accreditation for electronic voting is approved. It will include
- Preparation of the Electoral Roll from data you supply
- Sending out the Call for Nominations (twice) by email.
- Sending out the Invitation to Vote (twice) by email. No additional communication fees
- Preparing Voting Papers
- Preparing Candidate Statements for distribution in your school newsletter or your usual communication channels.
- Arranging printing and posting of ballot papers
- Receiving ballots
- Tally of votes
- Declaring the Result
- Completing the Ministry of Education return.
- Lodging required documents at the District Court.
Estimates, Bookings and Payments
Payment for both options is based on your Electoral Roll estimate and is required in advance. If your electoral roll is larger than the estimate, you will be billed for the remainder when nominations close. If your electoral roll is smaller than the estimate, you will receive a refund.
Estimates and Bookings can be made from the bottom of the front page of the website www.myschoolelection.nz(external link). Discounts apply for the mid-term 2023 elections.