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Case Study
American Anthropological Association |
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| Founded in 1902, the American Anthropological Association (AAA) is the world's largest organization of individuals interested in anthropology. It was formed to stimulate and coordinate the efforts of American anthropologists, among other goals. Its membership averages in excess of 10,000. Annual meetings draw more than 5,000 individuals, who attend over 300 sessions organized into a 5-day program. The AAA has been a democratic organization since its beginning and has remained the central society for the discipline of anthropology. |
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"Votenet's electronic voting allowed our members to have the ballot longer. It was a really big bonus to our international members. We had always mailed it out on a certain date and collected it on a certain date. There wasn't time enough for them to fill out a ballot and send it back through the mail in time for the deadline."
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Challenges |
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| Because AAA members belong to the umbrella association as well as smaller, specialized societies, their paper ballot was 64 pages. Members had to sift through the ballot to find the sections that pertained to their groups. In addition, AAA's international members had a tough time receiving the ballot, wading through the pages and getting it back in the mail by the voting deadline. "We wanted to increase voter participation," said the AAA's Kimberley Baker. "We thought if it were easier for the members they would want to participate." |
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Solutions |
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| Votenet's eBallot solution simplified the process for members. Since Votenet could personalize the ballots for different groups of voting members, AAA was able to have voters receive ballots only for those sections they were eligible to vote in. "Breaking the ballot up that way was really successful," Baker said. |
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Impact |
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| "In the first year after conversion to Votenet, our voting members jumped to the highest number in 10 years of records," Baker said. "Our members liked it. They were glad we had moved to electronic ballot. More of their other associations were using them, and they were eager to have us follow suit." |
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