Import a voter file
To add a new Voters file, you can choose “Import Voters” in the dropdown menu.
You can import voters either manually or automatically, as the image below shows.
Additionally, the “Voter Importer” will show you any previously uploaded voter files and their statuses.
You can delete a voter importer by clicking the magnifying glass
When you choose to import voter data, you will need to use a spreadsheet file. This can either be in .xlsx or .csv format. For the “Automatic Import,” you will need to download the Example spreadsheet made available in the system. This is because the automatic importer uses the specific names of the columns and maps them automatically when importing the rows.
When you prepare your spreadsheet, make sure that you have all relevant information pertaining to your voters. The key voter data you must have are:
Identifier, or Name, to be able to find a voter who could need support during the election.
Email address, if credentials are sent via email.
A voter’s Voter group to assign them to ballots.
Weight, if weighted/distributed voting is used for the election.
A unique election code which is not auto-generated by the system.
Click “Import voters manually.“
Select your excel file.
Check if the preview looks as it should. From here, you click “Map columns” to map the columns from the excel file to the system. Mapping the columns means choosing which columns from your spreadsheet correspond to the system’s columns.
Column with unique ID
Column with election code 1 ()
Column with election code 2 ()
Column with public key 1
Column with public key 2
Column with voter’s name
Column with voter’s email
Column with voter’s mobile number
Column with voter’s weight
Column with enabled status
Column with segments → This mapping field will only show up if there are segments set up in the Election’s Configuration. To use this, you must have access to the Segments feature included as part of your subscription to Electa.
*Note: When configuring the election, name the segments in accordance with the columns of your spreadsheet so it is easier to map it later.
When done, you can click “Save changes,” “cancel” if you want to go back, or click the red trash can to delete the importer.
When importing concludes, you will see a sample of voters. If this looks as expected, you can then push “Validate and import rows.” If something is off, you may go back and edit the mapping if you click “Change columns.” Alternatively, you may click “Back” to start over. You also have the option of deleting the importer by clicking
and restarting the process.
NOTE: You cannot upload both values of a public key and an election code pair.
If you only map the election code, Electa will generate the corresponding public key. To ensure that trust is distributed, you should consider mapping only the public key so that the election code is not stored in Electa.
Once you click “Validate and import rows,” you will be taken to the “Preview of result.” If the mapping looks correct in the preview, click “Start mapping.”
If you want to change the voter groups or the enabled/disabled status of the voters, click on “Edit mappings” to do so.
You also have the option of deleting the importer by clicking
You will now get a confirmation that the voter importer has successfully completed importing your voter data.
Now, all voters should have been imported and you can see them in the “Voters” overview. To get an overview of your voters, you can head back to the Voters tab. You are now also able to edit each voter’s information individually.
Video guide
Download the Example spreadsheet by clicking on either “Example spreadsheet” or “Example spreadsheet (all columns).”
Open the spreadsheet in your spreadsheet editor.
Replace the information in the spreadsheet with your voters’ information. Reminder: Do not rename the columns!
Delete columns you do not need for your specific upload.
Save the file as the format CSV UTF-8, comma delimited.
Click on the button “Import voters automatically.”
Select the file you just edited and start the import process by clicking “Upload.”
The file will now create your voters with the information you have provided.