Paperless Election FAQ

• What do you mean by a "Paperless" Election?
  • The Nominating Committee will not be mailing out a hard copy, paper ballot for the 2020 Director Election.
• What method will be used instead? How will NSS members vote?
  • The Nominating Committee has chosen Vote-Now.com to run the 2020 Director Election.
• Why is this being done?
  • Cost Savings—we will save on printing and postage.
  • Error Prevention—the potential for human error in vote counting will be reduced.
  • Simplicity—it will be easier for the Nominating Committee to conduct the election.
  • Ease of Use—it will be easier, quicker, and cheaper for individual NSS members to cast their vote.
  • Conservation—we'll use less paper.
• How will I cast my ballot?
  • In the Spring of 2020, all NSS members who are eligible to vote in the Director Election, will receive an e-mail invitation to vote from Vote-Now.com.
  • When members click the link in the invitation, the 2020 Director Election ballot will load in their browser.
  • The member will make a selection of candidates and cast his or her ballot.
• How will I vote if I share an e-mail account with multiple family members?
  • Each NSS member who is eligible to vote will receive a unique voter code. Families that share e-mail accounts will need to vote only once each.
• I don't have an e-mail account, how will I vote?
  • All eligible members who do not have an e-mail address listed in the NSS member database will receive a postcard with a unique voter code and voting instructions.
  • The voter can use that code to vote from a Web browser on any Internet-connected computer.
• I don't have an Internet connection or even a computer, what will I do?
  • You'll still get a postcard with a unique voter code in the mail. Take the card to the Library or to a friend, relative, or acquaintance who has an Internet-connected computer.
• Why are you forcing me to use the Internet?
  • We don't want to "force" anyone to use the Internet if they don't want to. You may still use a paper ballot, but you'll need to request one by following the instructions on the follow-up card. The Nominating Committee is encouraging everyone to use the Internet though, because it will save us money.
• Where will I be able to find information about the Director candidates?
  • The Nominating Committee will still publish the candidate platforms on the Nominating Committee website.
  • You will also be able to access candidate platforms from the online ballot.
• Will any of the dates in the election timeline change?
  • Since we anticipate that a few members will request a written ballot, we will still need to abide by the timeline. The timeline is based on deadlines required in the NSS Bylaws.
• I have questions about the organization you have chosen to run the election. Where can I find out more about them?
  • Here's their website: Vote-Now.Com.
• I have a question that you haven't answered here. How can I ask it?
  • Please e-mail the Nominating Committee Chairman, Nathan Farrar, at nominating@caves.org.
• What can I do to help?
  • Check the latest NSS Members Manual to see if you have a valid, working e-mail address on file, or...
  • Check with the NSS Office to make sure you have a valid, working e-mail address.
  • Submit an online Change of Member Info Form to add or change your email address
  • Help us get the word out at Grotto Meetings, Region Meetings, and elsewhere—encourage folks to update their e-mail address.
  • Make sure the spam filter on your e-mail client doesn't block e-mail coming from elections@vote-now.com by adding this address or the Vote-Now.com domain to your e-mail client whitelist.