Rethinking election management for a cloud-first world - Cloud EMS Elector8

When building Elector8 as a cloud-based election management system (cloud EMS), the goal wasn’t just to modernise infrastructure — it was to rethink how people actually use these systems day to day.

At the centre of this approach is flexibility.

Elector8 Cloud is designed to run on any device, allowing users to access the system on a tablet, laptop, or phone. This isn’t just a technical feature — it’s about giving election teams the ability to work in the way that suits them best.

As Simon Verdon, CEO of Democracy Counts, explains:

“It will run on any device… giving users the flexibility to use the system in the way that works best for them.”

See what that new thinking and opportunities that come from, Elector8 being redesigned and built in the cloud - in this short video from Simon Verdon, CEO of Democracy Counts.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/cd54c9_f4a17a59ab114f38b8187c00701b06c2/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Designed for real users, not just processes

A key part of the system’s design is putting control back in the hands of the user.

Features such as theming — often overlooked — play an important role in usability. Whether it’s adjusting how much data is visible on screen or tailoring layouts to specific tasks, these small changes can significantly improve efficiency and reduce friction.

Alongside this sits a strong commitment to accessibility.

Elector8 Cloud is built to support screen readers and users with visual impairments, ensuring compliance with WCAG3 standards and making the system usable for everyone involved in the election process.

Improving visibility and accountability

Election management relies heavily on accuracy and auditability.

That’s why Democracy Counts has reworked how user history and audit trails function within Elector8. Instead of fragmented updates, changes can be viewed as consolidated records, making it easier to track actions and maintain clarity across multiple edits.

“We’ve worked with our users to ask how we can make the audit even better… bringing changes together into one place as a consolidated record.”

This focus on practical, everyday improvements ensures the system supports users not just at key moments, but throughout the entire process.

Built for resilience when it matters most

Elections are critical infrastructure — and the systems supporting them must be available at all times.

By leveraging cloud technologies such as Platform as a Service (PaaS), Elector8 Cloud benefits from resilient databases and geo-redundancy. This means that if one data centre fails, the system continues to operate from another location.

“If a data centre in the south goes down, the system is mirrored in the north… meaning a system as critical as election management is available, always.”

A modern approach to election technology

Elector8 Cloud represents a shift in how election management systems are designed.

It’s not just about moving to the cloud — it’s about creating a system that is flexible, accessible, resilient, and genuinely built around the people who use it.