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Parent Governor Elections

Can a parent governor election be run online?

Legal requirements, practical benefits and implementation guidance for digital parent governor elections.

CV
Choice Voting Governance TeamGovernance Lead
Reviewed April 2026 6 min read

Quick Answer

Yes, parent governor elections can be conducted entirely online. There is no legal requirement for paper ballots. Online voting is permitted provided all parents have the opportunity to participate and ballot secrecy is maintained. Many schools find online voting increases turnout significantly compared to paper-only elections.

Quick Reference

Legal statusFully permitted under current regulations
Paper ballot requiredNo
Average turnout increase2-3x higher than paper-only
Key requirementBallot secrecy must be maintained
AccessibilityMust be accessible to all parents

The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools Regulations 2017 does not prescribe how a parent governor election must be conducted. It requires that elections are held by secret ballot and that all parents have the opportunity to vote, but it does not mandate paper ballots.

This means schools are free to conduct elections online, provided they meet the fundamental requirements of the regulations: secret ballot, fair access for all parents, and proper record-keeping.

DfE guidance

The Department for Education has confirmed in correspondence that online voting is permitted for parent governor elections, provided appropriate safeguards are in place.

Benefits of online voting

Schools that switch from paper to online voting typically see significant benefits:

  • Higher turnout: Online voting removes barriers and makes participation convenient
  • Faster results: Votes are counted automatically
  • Reduced workload: No printing, distributing, collecting or manually counting
  • Better records: Full audit trail for governance documentation
  • Cost savings: No printing or postage costs
  • Environmental: No paper waste

Requirements for online elections

To conduct a valid online election, schools must ensure:

  • All parents are notified of the election and how to vote
  • The voting system maintains ballot secrecy
  • Each parent can only vote once
  • Parents without internet access have an alternative way to participate
  • The system is accessible to parents with disabilities
  • Results are verifiable and auditable

Implementation guidance

When moving to online voting, consider the following steps:

  • Choose a voting platform that meets the requirements above
  • Ensure you have up-to-date email addresses or mobile numbers for all parents
  • Communicate clearly to parents about the change to online voting
  • Provide clear instructions on how to access and use the system
  • Offer support for parents who need help
  • Have a contingency for parents who cannot vote online

Start early

Plan your first online election well in advance. Allow time to set up the system, import parent data, and test the process before going live.

How Choice Voting helps with this

Choice Voting provides a secure, accessible online voting platform designed specifically for school elections.

  • Secure voting with full audit trail for governance records
  • Accessible on any device with automatic reminders
Book a Governance Demo

Related Guides

Parent Governor Elections

How do you run a parent governor election?

A complete step-by-step guide to the election process.

Reviewed April 2026 by Governance Lead
Read the guide
Parent Governor Elections

What counts as a secret ballot for parent governor elections?

Requirements for ballot secrecy and voter privacy.

Reviewed April 2026 by Governance Lead
Read the guide
Parent Governor Elections

What is the quorum for a parent governor election?

Participation requirements and improving turnout.

Reviewed April 2026 by Governance Lead
Read the guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. If you are confident all parents can access the online system, an online-only election is permitted. However, many schools offer a paper alternative for parents who request one, to ensure full accessibility.
Use a voting system that separates voter authentication from vote recording. The system should verify a parent is eligible to vote, but not store any link between the voter identity and their actual vote.
Consider offering school computers for parents to use, providing a paper ballot on request, or extending the voting period to give parents more time to find internet access. The key is ensuring no parent is excluded.

About the author

CV

Choice Voting Governance Team

Governance Lead

Part of the Choice Voting governance team, helping UK schools run compliant, well-attended elections and consultations.