Access Keys — What Are They and How to Obtain One to Vote
An access key is either:
- a 16-character alpha-numeric key, randomly generated and issued by
ElectionBuddy; or, -
a unique credential for a voter that is created and issued by the election administrator.
- Email:
- ElectionBuddy distributes emails to voters.
- If the access key is generated by ElectionBuddy, the email contains a unique ballot link (the link to access the ballot with the key already embedded in the link).
- If the access key is generated by the administrator, the email contains an access link (the link to access a page to enter voter credentials) and the voter's access key.
- SMS:
- ElectionBuddy distributes texts voters.
- If the access key is generated by ElectionBuddy, the text message contains a unique ballot link (the link to access the ballot with the key already embedded in the link).
- If the access key is generated by the administrator, the text message contains an access link (the link to access a page to enter voter credentials) and the voter's access key.
- Postal notices:
- ElectionBuddy distributes postcards to voters.
- Each postcard contains an access link (the link to access a page to enter voter credentials) and the voter's access key.
- The postcards can also optionally contain a unique QR code for voters to scan - each QR code contains the information regarding the voter's access key, and work the same way as a ballot link.
- Manual:
- Election administrators get a list of access keys from ElectionBuddy, or have a self-created list of access keys and passwords, to distribute themselves to voters.
- If the access keys are generated by ElectionBuddy, administrators can either create their own ballot links (https://secure.electionbuddy.com/(ACCESSKEY)), where "(ACCESSKEY)" corresponds to the voter's 16-digit access key), or simply send voters to https://electionbuddy.com/ballot to enter their key manually.
- If the access keys are generated by the administrator, they share their voters' credentials, as well as the access link that they create in ElectionBuddy, manually.
- Printed notices:
-
Election administrators can download and print a PDF of a notice to distribute themselves to voters . -
Regardless of who creates the access keys, each notice contains an access link and the access key for each voter. - The notices can also optionally contain a unique QR code for voters to scan - each QR code contains the information regarding the voter's access key, and work the same way as a ballot link.
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All methods of voting use access keys, regardless of who creates the key.
How a voter receives their notice to vote (and consequently their access key) is up to the election administrator. If you are a voter and have not received your access key, please contact your election administrator.
NOTE: ElectionBuddy is not at liberty to provide access keys on behalf of election administrators; if you contact