We help Trade Unions by offering ballots and elections services.

UK Trade Union Electronic Voting & Balloting Services

Online Ballots
Higher Turnout
Lower Costs
Full Compliance

Prepare Now for Electronic Balloting – The UK Government’s Code of Practice on electronic balloting for statutory trade union ballots is targeted for implementation in August 2026.

For the first time, unions will be able to run fully electronic ballots for statutory processes – including industrial action, union elections and political fund resolutions.

The unions that prepare now will be compliant and ready from day one!

As a UK Government approved independent scrutineer, Mi-Voice already has the expertise, systems and Cyber Essentials Plus certification required to run compliant electronic ballots from the moment the law comes into force.

One critical detail: the Government’s draft Code of Practice restricts ballot emails to personal addresses only. The number of members you can reach electronically and therefore your costs and participation rates – will depend on the quality of your membership data today!

What the Code of Practice Permits

The statutory Code of Practice introduces three new methods for union electronic voting, which unions may use individually or in combination:

Pure electronic balloting

Fully digital voting, from distribution to return, for industrial action, union elections, political fund resolutions and union mergers

Hybrid balloting

Postal distribution of voting materials with the option for members to return their vote electronically

Workplace balloting

In-person voting for industrial action ballots, subject to employer agreement

All ballot methods must be administered by an independent scrutineer. Mi-Voice meets the strict cybersecurity and audit requirements set out in the Code, including Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

Proven Trade Union Voting Results: Mi-Voice have been running online ballots for Irish trade unions since 2020.

The results of managing ballots for Irish unions indicate what’s achievable for UK unions:

164

ballots for Fórsa since 2020

64%+

avg turnout, non-industrial

76%

avg turnout, industrial action

88%

lower cost than all-postal

Three areas UK trade unions need to focus on now in preparation for the Code of Practice

Based on our experience running trade union online voting for Irish trade unions, we recommend UK unions focus on three priorities before August 2026:

Data Quality

Ensure your membership data – especially personal email addresses are as accurate as possible.

This determines how many members can vote online vs postal ballots and directly affects your costs and participation rates.

Rules & Regulations

Confirm your union’s rulebook permits online voting and electronic balloting.

Some rule books may need updating before electronic ballots are legally valid. Do not leave this until the law changes.

Member Communication

Explain why the vote matters, not just how to vote.

Engagement starts with helping members understand what’s at stake. Higher member understanding consistently drives higher ballot turnout.

Better for Your Budget. Better for the Environment.

An electronic ballot costs approximately 88% less per voting member than an all-postal ballot. That’s not just budget-friendly, it reduces your environmental impact and frees up resources for other union priorities.

FREE Ballot Analysis – No Obligation!

Send us your last three ballots’ cost and participation data, and we’ll show you exactly what’s achievable for your union: projected participation rates, cost savings, and what implementation of trade union online voting with Mi-Voice would involve, with no obligation.

Email us at enquiries@mi-voice.com with your last three ballots cost and participation data to get started with your FREE analysis or call us on 02380 763 980.