A new way to cast a vote for energized communities and residents

Service Ballots offer voters a practical way to get involved and help shape their communities.

By giving citizens a second “service ballot” during elections, governments can tap into the skills, interests, and goodwill of residents eager to contribute to their communities. Whether it's serving on a public board, joining an advisory committee, or volunteering for civic initiatives, service ballots create a direct, accessible path to participation—building stronger, more inclusive governance between elections.

What is a Service Ballot?

A service ballot is a second, optional ballot offered to voters during an election. After casting their vote, citizens can fill out the service ballot to express interest in getting more involved in their community.

They can:

  • Offer to serve on public boards or advisory committees

  • Volunteer for local projects or civic initiatives

  • Indicate areas they care about—like housing, climate, or public health

The information is collected separately and used by local governments to connect with residents who want to contribute.

It’s an easy, low-barrier way to turn civic interest into real community involvement—no campaigning, no applications, just a simple way to raise your hand and say: I want to help.

Why Implement Service Ballots?

Many communities struggle to recruit diverse voices for public boards, committees, and civic initiatives. At the same time, countless residents want to help—but don’t know how to get involved.

Service ballots solve this. By inviting people to volunteer at the same time they vote, local governments can:

  • Grow the pool of engaged residents ready to serve

  • Reach more diverse participants across age, background, and experience

  • Reduce recruitment costs and time spent filling roles

  • Build trust and transparency by showing residents their voices are valued

  • Strengthen democracy between elections, not just on voting day

It’s a simple, scalable tool that helps governments and communities work better—together.

Service Ballots Benefits

Adaptable to Local Needs

Can be tailored to different municipal priorities, issues, and structures—urban or rural, small or mid-sized communities.

Promotes engagement

Transforms voting into an opportunity for deeper civic involvement and ongoing participation.

Builds a Volunteer Pipeline

Creates a ready pool of residents interested in serving on boards, committees, or civic projects.

Easy to implement

Simple to integrate into existing election processes with minimal cost or disruption.

Amplifies Diverse Voices

Reaches a broader range of people, helping public bodies better reflect the communities they serve.

Strengthens Government-Resident Connection

Opens direct communication channels between local governments and engaged citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A service ballot is a second, optional ballot offered to voters during elections. It invites citizens to express their interest in volunteering for civic roles—such as public boards, advisory committees, or local initiatives—right after they cast their vote.

  • After submitting their electoral ballot, voters receive a service ballot where they can provide contact details, select areas of interest (e.g., housing, health, climate), and indicate their willingness to participate in civic life. The ballots are collected separately and used by local governments to build a database of engaged residents.

  • Elections are one of the few times when a majority—or near majority—of citizens directly interact with government. By offering a service ballot at this moment, governments can convert interest into action, lower barriers to participation, and reach a much broader and more diverse cross-section of the community.

    Just as voting is a way of choosing who will represent us, completing a service ballot is a way of stepping forward to help. It encourages citizens not only to elect leaders, but also to share responsibility for shaping the future of their community—through service, advice, and active involvement in public life.

  • Service ballots help identify volunteers for a range of opportunities, including public boards, advisory committees, community planning groups, and civic initiatives run by local governments or nonprofits.

  • No. Service ballots are non-binding and separate from the electoral ballot. They are not used to elect anyone or influence the vote. Instead, they are used solely to gather expressions of interest in civic participation.

  • Yes. All service ballot data is managed in compliance with privacy laws and election regulations. Information is stored securely and used only for civic engagement purposes by authorized staff.

  • Traditional recruitment often depends on costly campaigns and only reaches a small segment of the population. Service ballots are proactive, inclusive, and timed to engage citizens when they’re already thinking about public life—election day.

  • Yes. Because they’re offered to all voters, service ballots cast a much wider net than typical recruitment methods, helping governments connect with people from diverse backgrounds, ages, and experiences who may not otherwise come forward.

  • Yes. A pilot program is being developed by MASS Civic Innovation Labs in partnership with small and mid-sized municipalities across Canada, with support from the Metcalf Foundation. Early interest is growing, especially in communities under 75,000 in population.

  • Municipalities and regions interested in piloting service ballots or learning more should contact the Service Ballot network using the contact form below to access a growing community of practice sharing tools, experiences, and insights on participatory local governance.

Service Ballots are an initiative of MASS Civic Innovation Labs and are generously supported by the Metcalf Foundation.

MASS CIL is the non-profit arm of MASS LBP, a Toronto-based democracy organization known for pioneering the use of civic lotteries and citizens’ assemblies in Canada. MASS works with governments and institutions to engage residents in meaningful decision-making, helping to build more inclusive, participatory public policy through innovative democratic practices.

The Metcalf Foundation is a Canadian charitable foundation that supports bold ideas and leadership in inclusive local economies, climate transition, and the performing arts. It works to foster vibrant, equitable and democratic communities across Canada.

Let’s bring Service Ballots to your community.

If you would like to work with us to introduce Service Ballots as part of your next local, regional or national election, write to us.