We explore the impact of voting software in global elections, highlighting how bespoke digital solutions can enhance accessibility, engagement, and member retention for organisations looking to integrate secure and efficient voting systems.
Last year, half the global population headed to the polls in a bumper year for elections. While voters themselves were instrumental, the providers of voting software also bore great responsibility for delivering democracy. Thanks to this technology, voting is more accessible than ever – and so is integrating these systems into an app or platform. We look at how membership bodies can boost numbers and enable democracy with bespoke software development.
In 2025, an estimated 3.7 billion people exercised their right to vote in elections across 72 countries worldwide. Companies providing voting technology – including major names like Dominion Voting Systems, Electronic Systems and Software, and Hart InterCivic – were under pressure to ensure fair, accurate and transparent processes. This drew attention to a rapidly evolving market: electoral management and software solutions. Like other software providers, this industry faces challenges including cybersecurity threats, accessibility and user authentication.
From governments to the Golden Globes
The nature of the sector such companies operate in and the importance of elections means addressing these challenges is critical. Election interference has become a hot topic, while voters – the users of the software – encompass the entirety of a population, spanning differing demographics and IT skillsets, with citizens residing in well-connected urban areas, underserved rural locations and overseas.
This year will see elected governments, councils and local authorities settling into their roles, and provides an opportunity to reflect on the success and/or issues of the voting systems which got them there. Major elections may have tailed off, but there will still be hundreds of smaller organisations and membership bodies looking to hold their own voting events. We saw this recently with the Golden Globes, whose organiser, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) uses a secure online portal allowing members to cast their votes.
A vote for accessibility
Bespoke software development means such systems are also accessible to smaller membership bodies, whether that’s a local football club, trade organisation, or fan club. Voting may be just one part of a dedicated platform for these organisations, but can play a key role in retaining members and boosting numbers. Interested in integrating voting into your own platform, or creating a dedicated voting app? Here are our top three things to consider:
Customer relationship management software
Providing a better experience for members – whether they’re voting or simply logging onto and using a dedicated members portal – begins with good data management. And this is underpinned by customer relationship management (CRM) software. These systems centralise data, replacing multiple databases and lists and providing a streamlined means of accessing, analysing and actioning this information. Things like profile data, how a member engages with a membership body and payment history (including sensitive financial information) can all be securely stored and accessed in a unified system, easing the job of departments across a membership body.
Off-the-shelf CRM software can be costly, forcing smaller, local membership bodies to pay high subscription rates for numerous functions and features, not all of which will be suited to their needs and may remain unused. A bespoke approach, on the other hand, means a CRM can be created to fit the requirements of a specific organisation and its members. At Appdrawn, we work with companies to create new software solutions as well as updating and replacing legacy systems. This includes replacing old databases with modern SQL‑based systems that are future‑proof and scalable.
A membership body might start with a basic CRM for managing members and add functions, like voting capabilities and email marketing, as their organisation grows.
Personalised engagement
Membership bodies wouldn’t exist without their members, with many relying on subscription fees to stay afloat. In-person engagements, such as local meetings, AGMs, fundraisers and social events are important for fostering loyalty and a sense of community. However, digital engagement is equally important, particularly for those organisations that have a geographically dispersed member base or are looking to increase their footprint.
Bespoke software and CRM can support this by providing personalised and more relevant digital engagements. In terms of voting, instead of sending voting reminder emails to every member, a body can contact only those who have not voted. Members can state their preferred communication method, receiving SMS rather than email reminders, for instance. CRM software can also make election reporting and analysis faster and easier, by providing real-time statistics and participation data, and producing graphics visualising results.
Upselling an app
In addition to providing a secure means of voting, bespoke software solutions can also help bodies retain members or boost numbers. ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, for instance, has an app with an integrated voting function, creating a compelling reason for users to sign up and download. Online voting can be promoted to members as an essential element of their membership, made easily accessible via an online portal or app. Making voting easier in this way can help foster a sense of community and connection to an organisation, increasing participation and inclusivity.
Feeling inspired by the year of elections? Get in touch with one of our team to find out how voting systems and bespoke software can empower your members, and power up your organisation.