Voting & Governance

Every member has a voice in union decisions. From quick polls to strike authorization, Grassroots puts democratic power directly in your hands.

What You Can Vote On

Your union can use voting for many types of decisions:

• Quick Polls: Gather opinions on meeting times, event planning, or any topic
• Binding Motions: Official decisions on spending, policies, or actions
• Elections: Choose shop stewards, committee members, or representatives
• Referendums: Major changes like constitutional amendments
• Strike Votes: Authorize work stoppages with maximum security

How Voting Works

1. Someone Creates a Motion

Any verified member can propose a motion. Depending on the type, it may need other members to "second" it before voting opens.

2. Review Period (Optional)

For major decisions, there's a notice period so everyone can read the motion and discuss it before voting starts.

3. Voting Opens

You'll get a notification when you're eligible to vote on something. You can vote any time during the voting period (usually a few days to a week).

4. Cast Your Ballot

Click on the motion and cast your vote. Most votes are secret—no one can see how you voted.

5. Results Announced

When voting closes, results are calculated and announced immediately. You can verify your vote was counted correctly using your receipt.

Understanding Vote Rules

Each vote has clear rules displayed before you vote:

Quorum

The minimum number of people who must participate for the vote to be valid. For example, if quorum is 25% and only 20% of members vote, the motion fails even if 100% voted "yes."

Threshold

The percentage of votes needed to pass. Common thresholds:

• Simple majority: More than 50% vote "yes"
• Supermajority: 2/3 (66%) or 3/4 (75%) vote "yes"
• Plurality: Most votes wins (for elections with multiple candidates)

Eligibility

Who can vote on this motion:

• All verified members: Union-wide decisions
• Specific worksite: Issues affecting only one location
• Committee members: Internal working group decisions

Types of Votes Explained

Quick Polls

Fast, informal votes for non-binding decisions.

• No quorum required
• Results visible in real-time
• Usually closes in 1-3 days
• Perfect for planning and gathering input

Binding Motions

Official union decisions that will be implemented.

• Requires quorum (typically 20-30%)
• Secret ballot
• Results hidden until voting closes
• May require seconders (2-5 members)

Elections

Choose members for specific roles or committees.

• Ranked-choice voting (rank candidates by preference)
• Secret ballot required
• Higher quorum (30-40%)
• Nomination period before voting

Referendums

Major decisions affecting the entire union.

• High quorum requirement (40-50%)
• Supermajority threshold (2/3 or 3/4)
• Long voting period (1-2 weeks)
• Notice period for review and discussion
• Members can propose amendments

Strike Authorization

The highest-security vote for authorizing work stoppages.

• Very high quorum (50%+)
• Supermajority required (2/3 minimum)
• Enhanced ballot privacy
• Extended voting period
• Multiple reminders sent

Secret vs. Recorded Ballots

Secret Ballots (Most Common)

Your vote is completely private:

• System verifies you voted, but not how you voted
• Results show only totals, never individual votes
• Even admins can't see your choice
• Protects against pressure and retaliation

Recorded Ballots

Your vote is recorded with your name:

• Used for some procedural votes
• Promotes accountability
• Results show who voted which way
• Rarely used for sensitive matters

Finding Active Votes

There are several ways to find and track votes:

Notifications

• You'll get a notification when a vote opens that you can participate in
• Reminders sent midway through and 24 hours before closing
• Final reminder 1 hour before close (if you haven't voted)

Governance Channel

Your union has a dedicated #governance or #motions channel where all votes are posted. Check here to see what's active.

Vote Dashboard

The governance widget shows all active and recent votes:

• Filter by status (open, closed, upcoming)
• Sort by closing date
• See which ones you've already voted on
• Check participation rates

Your Voting Receipt

After you vote, you'll receive a verification receipt. This is important!

What you can verify with your receipt:

• Your ballot was received
• Your vote was included in the final count
• The tally math is correct

What you can't verify (by design):

• How other people voted
• How many people from your worksite voted "yes"

Understanding Results

When voting closes, results are announced immediately. Each result shows:

• Final vote counts: How many voted yes/no/abstain
• Turnout: How many voted vs. how many could vote
• Quorum status: Was minimum participation met?
• Threshold status: Did it get enough "yes" votes?
• Pass/Fail: Clear outcome with explanation

Why Votes Fail

A vote can fail for several reasons:

• Quorum not met: Not enough people voted (vote again with more outreach)
• Threshold not met: Not enough "yes" votes (even with good turnout)
• Tie: Equal yes/no votes (tiebreaker rules apply)

Proposing Motions

Any verified member can propose a vote. Learn how in our Creating Motions guide.

Best Practices

Stay Informed

• Read motions carefully before voting
• Review attached documents
• Check the discussion thread
• Ask questions if anything is unclear

Participate!

• Your vote matters—democracy only works if we participate
• Don't let votes fail quorum
• Abstain if you're truly unsure (still counts toward quorum)
• Encourage fellow members to vote

Vote Your Conscience

• Secret ballot means no one can pressure you
• You can change your vote anytime before it closes
• No one can prove how you voted, even if you wanted to

Troubleshooting

Can't Vote on a Motion

Check if:

• You're in the eligible group (might be scoped to specific worksite)
• Voting is still open (not closed or not started yet)
• You're a verified member

Lost My Receipt

Unfortunately, receipts can't be re-sent (security measure). Your vote was still counted, but you won't be able to personally verify it. Save receipts when you vote!

Vote Not Sending

• Check your internet connection
• Try refreshing the page
• Make sure voting is still open
• Contact moderators if problems persist

Don't Understand the Results

Ask in the discussion thread or #governance channel. Union stewards and moderators can explain how the vote was tallied and why it passed or failed.

Security & Privacy

How Are Votes Kept Secret?

Your ballot is encrypted on your device before being sent. The system uses cryptographic techniques to verify you're eligible without linking your identity to your vote.

Can Someone Force Me to Prove My Vote?

No! By design:

• You can't prove how you voted to anyone else
• You can change your vote anytime before close
• This protects against coercion and vote buying

What If Results Are Challenged?

Every vote includes an audit trail:

• Who was eligible to vote (without revealing who voted how)
• Total participation
• Cryptographic proof the tally is correct
• All receipts (anonymized) for independent verification

Next Steps

• Learn How to Create Motions
• Step-by-Step Voting Guide
• Start participating in your union's democracy!