Help for Voting on a Ballot

From NENA Knowledge Base

There are two different types of ballots in NENA Workspace (NWS): Approval Ballots and General Ballots. All documents seeking Working Group approval must utilize an Approval Ballot, especially if the document is an ANSI candidate document.

When a ballot has been created and the voting window opens, NENA Workspace automatically sends a notification email to all members of the Working Group that voting is open. For those eligible to vote, the email contains a link to the ballot to place their vote. For those not eligible to vote, the email only contains information regarding the active ballot.

Placing a Vote for an Approval Ballot Associated with a Document

To place a vote, click on Vote within the ballot notification email to open the ballot. Alternatively, go to the Ballots section of the WG community and click on the green Vote button.

Screen Print: How to navigate to a ballot in NWS

Select your vote by clicking the button next to your desired vote (Affirmative, Negative, Abstain).

Screen Print: Where to select voting options on an Approval Ballot

Placing a Vote with Comments

A Negative vote on an Approval Ballot requires a comment to be associated with it per NENA procedures. Comments are optional for Affirmative and Abstain votes. Other ballot types may require a comment to be included with a vote, but this is at the discretion of the Working Group Co-Chairs.

When a vote is selected that has Comment Required or Comment Optional next to it on the ballot, the ballot updates with a new Add a Comment button. Select the Add a Comment button.

Screen Print: Where to add a comment when a comment is required on an Approval Ballot

A new browser tab will open with an Add Comment form. Complete the Add Comment form, which minimally requires a Subject and Summary of the issue. Comment submitters should clearly explain the issue and if possible, complete the Proposed Solution section.

Screen Print: Add Comment form for an Approval Ballot

Click Save.

Screen Print: Saving a Comment for an Approval Ballot

Notice Selecting Save only saves the comment. It does not record your vote.

Important! Return to the previous voting page to submit your vote!


Select the blue Vote button on the ballot to record your vote.

Screen Print: Recording a Vote for an Approval Ballot

Placing A Vote for a General Ballot (No Document)

To place a vote, click on Vote within the ballot notification email to open the ballot. Alternatively, go to the Ballots section of the WG community and click on the green Vote button.

Screen Print: How to navigate to a General Ballot in NWS

  • Select your vote by clicking the button next to your desired vote (Affirmative, Negative, Abstain).  1 
  • You must complete the Comments section  2  if a vote option is selected that has Comment Required next to it. Otherwise this section is optional.
Notice Your vote will NOT be recorded if a comment was required and one was not entered into the Comment box.


  • Select the blue Vote button  3  on the ballot to record your vote.

Screen Print: Select a voting option and commenting on a General Ballot