Can the bulletin be delivered electronically?

Yes. Electronic delivery is allowed when the jurisdiction's notice rules permit it. Ensure records are retained in a reproducible, tamper-evident format so they satisfy ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and any state electronic-record requirements.

Do certified ballot texts require special handling?

Yes. Use the exact certified wording provided by the canvassing authority. Lock or freeze ballot-text fields after certification to prevent inadvertent edits that could lead to legal disputes.

What accessibility requirements apply?

Distribute accessibility and language-assistance information prominently. Follow WCAG 2.0 AA where publishing electronically and meet any state mandates for accessible voting materials.

How should versions be archived?

Retain the issued PDF and approval audit trail in secure storage with encryption in transit and at rest. Ensure the file is reproducible and time-stamped for post-election review.

Are witness or notarization elements required?

Some attestations or absentee affidavits require witness or notary actions per state law; remote notarization availability varies by state—check local notary statutes before relying on RON.

Who reviews the bulletin before publication?

Typical review includes the elections director, legal counsel, and the certifying official. Document each approval step in the audit trail to demonstrate compliance.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Voting Information Bulletin

Voting Information Bulletin

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Voting Information Bulletin

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, the Issuing Authority: is responsible for administering the election described herein;

WHEREAS, this bulletin provides official, nonpartisan information concerning the election titled: to be held on , for voters within the jurisdiction of: ;

WHEREAS, this bulletin summarizes candidate listings, ballot measures, voting methods, deadlines, and official procedures required for lawful participation in the election.

Election Details

Election Name Jurisdiction Polling Hours Voter Registration Deadline Election Office Contact (Phone and Address)

Where and How to Vote

Early voting period begins: and ends: . Mail ballot request deadline: .

Authorized Ballot Drop Box Locations (if any) Polling Locations and Accessible Voting Centers

Candidates

Candidate 1

Candidate 2

Candidate 3

Ballot Measures

Measure number: — Title:

Recommendation (nonbinding): Yes No

Measure number: — Title:

Recommendation (nonbinding): Yes No

Voting Procedures and Legal Notices

Mark ballots completely and follow the instructions printed on the ballot. If you spoil a ballot, return it to a poll worker or follow the replacement procedures set by the Issuing Authority. A provisional ballot may be cast where eligibility cannot be immediately verified; provisional ballots are subject to verification before being counted.

Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by the date of the election and received by the office by the deadline specified by law, unless local law provides otherwise. Ballot drop boxes listed in this bulletin are official only if listed above.

Ballot Return Deadline (if applicable)

Accessibility and Assistance

Voters needing assistance to mark a ballot, including those with disabilities or who require language assistance, may request assistance as provided by law. Polling places offer accessible voting machines where available. For specific accommodations, contact the election office listed above.

Prohibitions and Penalties

It is unlawful to cast more than one ballot in this election. Any person who knowingly violates election laws, commits fraud, tampers with ballots or voting equipment, or knowingly makes false statements regarding voter eligibility may be subject to criminal or civil penalties under applicable law.

Governing Law

This bulletin is issued pursuant to the election statutes and regulations of the jurisdiction identified herein. Any dispute concerning the administration of the election shall be resolved in accordance with those statutes and applicable judicial review procedures.

Entire Bulletin and Amendments

This document constitutes the official Voting Information Bulletin as issued by the Issuing Authority for the election specified above. Any amendment or correction to this bulletin will be issued in a separate, dated notice and must be treated as part of the official record for the election.

Certification

I hereby certify that the information contained in this Voting Information Bulletin is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that this bulletin has been prepared and distributed in accordance with applicable election laws and procedures.

Official Printed Name:

Title:

Signature:

Date:

What a Voting Information Bulletin Is and Why It Matters

A Voting Information Bulletin is an official document issued by an elections office that summarizes essential election details for voters. Typical content includes candidate names, ballot measures, polling locations, early voting periods, absentee and mail-ballot instructions, identification requirements, and certification contacts. The bulletin is intended to provide accurate, concise guidance so voters can determine where and how to vote, what identification or documentation they need, and key calendar dates. Agencies publish it in print and electronic formats to reach different voter groups and satisfy statutory notice requirements.

Why the Voting Information Bulletin Is Useful

A clear bulletin reduces voter confusion and supports compliance with notice-and-access obligations. It consolidates ballot and process information into a single, verifiable record for voters and election officials.

Who Prepares and Who Reads the Bulletin

The bulletin serves both as a public-facing voter guide and as an internal reference that supports consistent execution of election procedures.

Election administrators and clerks who assemble official ballot content and logistics information.
Poll workers and election volunteers who need clear, authoritative instructions at voting sites.
Voters, advocacy groups, and campaigns that use the bulletin to verify deadlines and ballot language.

Essential Elements to Include in a Professional Bulletin

A professional Voting Information Bulletin is concise, searchable, and structured so readers can quickly find dates, locations, and exact ballot text.

Ballot Content

Full candidate names and exact ballot-measure text so voters see the language they will mark; ambiguity increases challenge and legal risk.

Polling Locations

Clear addresses, hours, and any accessibility information (ramps, curbside voting) so voters can plan travel and accommodations.

Early & Mail Voting

Start and end dates for early voting, mail-ballot request deadlines, submission instructions and any witness or notarization requirements.

Identification Rules

Accepted ID forms and acceptable alternatives to reduce provisional ballots and ensure poll worker consistency.

Deadlines

Registration cutoff, absentee request deadlines, and ballot return timelines presented prominently to prevent missed opportunities to vote.

Contact & Certification

Office contact information, official certification statements, and where to report discrepancies or request language assistance.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Publishing the Bulletin

Follow these steps to produce a legally defensible and voter-friendly bulletin that aligns with certification schedules and public-notice obligations.

01

Assemble Certified Content: Collect certified candidate and measure text.
02

Verify Logistics: Confirm polling locations, hours, and accessibility details.
03

Review Legal Requirements: Check state notice, language, and deadline rules.
04

Publish and Archive: Distribute across channels and retain the final issued copy.

Configuring an Online Bulletin Workflow

Set up your digital workflow to collect approvals, insert certified content, and distribute the final bulletin across channels.

Template	Lock ballot text fields after certification
Approval	Route to elections director and legal counsel
Authentication	Require role-based sign-off for final publication
Distribution	Export PDF and publish to official channels
Audit Trail	Enable logs for version and sign-off history

Where to File and How the Bulletin Is Distributed

A clear process ensures the bulletin reaches voters and that a verifiable record exists for audits and legal review.

Official Archive: Store final PDF in the elections office records
Public Website: Post the bulletin on the jurisdiction's site
Mailing Lists: Send to registered voters per jurisdiction rules
Community Partners: Share with libraries and community centers

Technical Considerations for Electronic Bulletins

Preserve signed, timestamped copies and maintain access controls; platforms with audit logs support compliance with retention and transparency obligations.

Document Formats: PDF, HTML
Authentication: Role-based sign-off
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 AA

Key Dates and Deadlines to Highlight

Make critical voter-facing dates prominent: registration cutoffs, absentee request deadlines, early voting windows, and Election Day certification milestones.

Voter Registration Deadline:

Varies by state; list the local cutoff prominently

Absentee Request Deadline:

State-specific deadline to request a mail ballot

Early Voting Window:

Start and end dates for in-person early voting

Election Day:

Always the Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Certification Deadline:

Date when returns are certified; varies by jurisdiction

Common Mistakes When Preparing a Bulletin

Using non‑certified ballot wording that creates inconsistency with the official ballot and invites legal challenges.
Omitting accessibility or language assistance information, which can disenfranchise voters and violate state or federal requirements.
Failing to lock final fields after certification, causing inadvertent edits or version-control issues.
Not retaining a time-stamped copy of the issued bulletin and approval log, complicating post-election reviews.

Risks of Incorrect or Incomplete Bulletins

Legal Challenge: Court disputes or injunctions

Voter Confusion: Increased provisional ballots

Accessibility Violations: Civil rights complaints

Data Exposure: Privacy or access-control breaches

Administrative Delay: Last-minute reprints or corrections

Recordkeeping Failure: Audit or compliance penalties

Digital Publishing and eSignature Platform Pricing Snapshot

Compare starting price and core capabilities for common eSignature platforms used to prepare, approve, and publish official documents. signNow is listed first per vendor-comparison conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day trial	No	No	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About Voting Information Bulletins

Answers to common questions that election officials and stakeholders ask when preparing or distributing a Voting Information Bulletin.

Need help? Contact support

Can the bulletin be delivered electronically?
Yes. Electronic delivery is allowed when the jurisdiction's notice rules permit it. Ensure records are retained in a reproducible, tamper-evident format so they satisfy ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and any state electronic-record requirements.
Do certified ballot texts require special handling?
Yes. Use the exact certified wording provided by the canvassing authority. Lock or freeze ballot-text fields after certification to prevent inadvertent edits that could lead to legal disputes.
What accessibility requirements apply?
Distribute accessibility and language-assistance information prominently. Follow WCAG 2.0 AA where publishing electronically and meet any state mandates for accessible voting materials.
How should versions be archived?
Retain the issued PDF and approval audit trail in secure storage with encryption in transit and at rest. Ensure the file is reproducible and time-stamped for post-election review.
Are witness or notarization elements required?
Some attestations or absentee affidavits require witness or notary actions per state law; remote notarization availability varies by state—check local notary statutes before relying on RON.
Who reviews the bulletin before publication?
Typical review includes the elections director, legal counsel, and the certifying official. Document each approval step in the audit trail to demonstrate compliance.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now