- When is the election?
- Who will receive ballots?
- What is a “full member?”
- When should I expect my ballot?
- Why does ANNA use electronic elections?
- Who will the e-mail come from?
- How is the election process different from previous years?
- How do I know if I am getting an online or paper ballot?
- When is the deadline for voting?
- What happens after I receive the e-mail to vote?
- What happens after I log in?
- Will my vote count?
- How secure and confidential is my vote?
- When will we find out the results of the election?
- What if I don’t have access to the Internet?
- May I still vote with a paper ballot?
- Can I vote online and mail in a paper ballot too?
- Who do I contact for additional questions about the election, including if I lost my log in information?
- What if I am having technical trouble with the online ballot?
Voting opens December 3, 2012. Voting must be completed by January 2, 2013.
All full members as of December 3, 2012 are eligible to vote. Members for whom ANNA has email addresses will receive an electronic ballot. Members for whom ANNA does not have email addresses on file, or for members who opt out of the electronic voting method (and request a paper ballot), will receive a mail ballot.
A full member is any registered nurse licensed in the United States and its territories, Canada, or Mexico interested in nephrology, transplantation and related therapies, and the care of patients with kidney disease. Dues must be current as of the date the ballots are sent.
4. When should I expect my ballot?
If you are receiving your ballot via e-mail, you should receive your ballot during the day on December 5. If you don’t receive your e-mailed ballot at the same time as your co-workers and friends, do not be alarmed. The 3rd party election management provider we are using staggers the e-mails so that no organizations gets inundated with a lot of e-mails at one time.
If you are receiving your ballot via mail, you should receive your ballot during the week of December 3, approximately, depending on U.S post office mailing times.
If you haven’t received your ballot by December 15, please contact the ANNA National Office at 1-888-600-2662 and ask for Julie Atkinson.
5. Why does ANNA use electronic elections?
For several reasons:
- Members asked for it!
- Electronic voting is easier for most members
- Increased voter participation is expected
- Going “green” saves time and money for members and ANNA
- Vote tabulation will be more efficient
6. Who will the email come from?
The e-mail containing the link to vote and your unique log in codes will come from: ANNA Election Coordinator at ANNAvote@directvote.net. Please add this email address to your address book and/or safe list as it decreases the chance of this email getting sent into your SPAM folder.
7. How is the election process different from previous years?
Until 2009, the election was conducted via US mail with a paper ballot. You received the paper ballot via mail and returned it likewise. Starting 3 years ago, ANNA moved to electronic elections. You will receive an e-mail with unique codes that allow you to log in to a secure site to place your vote online, unless you wish to continue to receive a paper ballot.
8. How do I know if I am getting an online or paper ballot?
If you have an email address on file with ANNA, you will receive an email with unique codes directing you to the online ballot. If you do not have an email address on file with ANNA, you will receive a paper ballot. However, if you have an email address and it bounces back when the email is distributed, we will send you a paper ballot, because your vote matters! You may also request a paper ballot if you prefer to vote that way.
9. When is the deadline for voting?
January 2, 2013 is the deadline for voting. Your ballot must be received either online by 12:00 midnight PST or via mail by this date. Late ballots will not be accepted.
10. What happens after I receive the email to vote?
The email will contain unique codes. Click on the link in the email to go to the website where you will be able to place your vote. Use the log in codes provided in the email.
11. What happens after I log in?
After you log in, make sure to read the instruction about how to place your vote. Then, click on the “Go to Ballot” button to view the Ballot. Once in the ballot, place a check mark to indicate your vote. However, your vote is not cast until you hit “Proceed to Ballot Confirmation” and then hit "Submit Ballot." You can even view the ballot, log out, and place your vote at a later time, if you wish.
Absolutely! If you vote online, a printable receipt with your voting choices will display immediately after your vote is submitted. You can print this receipt for your records.
13. How secure and confidential is my vote?
Your vote is 100% secure and confidential. ANNA's contract with the 3rd party election provider clearly states that no one at ANNA (leaders or staff) has access to any specific votes. All votes are anonymous. No one will ever know how you voted except you!
14. When will we find out the results of the election?
The results of the election will be announced on January 2, 2013. Watch the ANNA website for the results!
15. What if I don’t have access to the Internet?
If you don’t have an email address, you will receive a paper ballot in the mail and you will simply fill it out by hand and return it. Or, if you do have an email address but you do not have access to the Internet on a regular basis, you can request to receive a paper ballot. To request a paper ballot, simply contact the National Office at 1-888-600-2662 and ask for Julie Atkinson.
16. May I still vote with a paper ballot?
Yes, if you would like to vote with a paper ballot, please contact the ANNA National Office at 1-888-600-2662 and ask for Julie Atkinson.
17. Can I vote online and mail in a paper ballot too?
Members may vote once, not twice. Whichever ballot is received first will count as your vote. Please keep that in mind when voting. It is unlikely that you would receive both an electronic and a paper ballot.
18. Who do I contact for additional questions about the election, including if I lost my log in information?
Please contact Julie Atkinson at the ANNA National Office, 1-888-600-2662, julie.atkinson@ajj.com.
19. What if I am having technical trouble with the online ballot?
Our third party election management provider specializes in elections for non profit associations. That is their main business. The company will be offering toll-free phone and e-mail support to voters during business hours. You can contact them via phone at 1-800-974-8099 and/or email at support@directvote.net.