We offer a full suite of services for unions of any size, to ensure your election is bulletproof.

Our bulletproof election package

What is a bulletproof election?

A bulletproof election is one that can stand up to any challenge or protest. We are experts in the field. We handle all the necessary steps to make your election legal, proper and compliant. From proper notices, to correctly run nomination meetings. From ballot design to data services to printing and mailing. We handle returned as undeliverable ballots and replacement ballot requests. On Election Day, we count the votes and certify the results. All for a price competitive to doing it on your own.

Nomination notices

We write correct notices of nomination and election, and mail it via first class mail to all members. We also provide multiple language versions where necessary. We have conducted elections using English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Polish, Haitian-Creole, and others.

Nomination meetings

Working with one of our associated labor attorneys, Merriman River conducts your nominations through mail, in person, via the internet, or however your bylaws mandate. We verify candidate eligibility for you. All of our associated attorneys have years of experience supervising union elections.

Printing and mailing

We use only union printers and experienced mailhouses to guarantee quality and timeliness. We have established relationships and negotiated rates with union printers across North America, ensuring the job is done right and at the right price. Working with you or your international union, we handle data list management to guarantee an accurate mailing list and voting roster.

Member services

Merriman River handles returned as undeliverable ballots and provides a toll free voice mail line to request replacement ballots. Additional services such as address cleanup and employer outreach are available upon request. Making a good faith effort to reach every member is a key to a bulletproof election that will stand up to scrutiny.

Election Day

We come to you. From picking up mail at your local Post Office to determining eligibility using our own barcode software to counting the ballots to certifying the results, Merriman River does it all for you in an observer friendly process that will stand up to the closest scrutiny. For all but the largest jobs, we recommend hand-counting ballots using two checkers. It is typically the most accurate, cost-effective and observer-friendly method. For larger locals, ballots can be counted using speedy next-generation opti-scan technology that is also highly accurate. Other election companies still use punch-card voting or older “fill in the bubble” scanning that can have an error rate as high as 5%.

In-person Voting

For locals that require or prefer in-person voting, Merriman River has the staff and technology to make it a breeze. We come to you with an accurate election roster. Our trained staff working with our own network of Macintosh laptop computers makes check-in speedy and accurate. We provide the pre-printed ballots, or we can print them on the spot. We can even provide touch-screen voting for unions that want a higher-tech approach. We provide portable voting boots and secure ballot boxes. At the end of voting hours, we are ready to count your ballots and certify the results.

Convention Services

Merriman River is the perfect choice for your convention or conference. Our all-laptop network is secure and wireless, meaning we can operate anywhere. Our system is well-suited to quick set-up and accurate vote tabulation. Through our experience with event management, we can also assist with other aspects of your convention, including member registration.

Why risk a mistake or a costly challenge? Contact Merriman River today. Because the most important election this year is yours.