--- title: Cumulative vote vs per stage basis vote description: Details about cumulative and per stage basis voting system as well as vote count change upon moving or merging ideas --- [Skip to content](https://help.ideascale.com/cumulative-vs-per-stage-basis-vote#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![IdeaScale](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ideascale-logo.png?width=223&height=31&name=ideascale-logo.png)](https://help.ideascale.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Go to ideascale.com](https://ideascale.com/) [Go to ideascale.com](https://ideascale.com/) Hi!👋 How can we help you today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [IdeaScale Support Center](https://help.ideascale.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Campaign Management](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en) 3. [Workflow](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en#workflow) # Cumulative vote vs per stage basis vote ## Details about cumulative and per stage basis voting system as well as vote count change upon moving or merging ideas ***Path: Workspace Homepage \>\> Navigation Panel \>\> Campaigns \>\> Workflow \>\> Ideate Stage \>\> Settings*** | What is Cumulative vs. Per Stage Basis Vote? | | --- | | Cumulative vs. Per Stage Basis Vote is an Ideate stage setting that determines whether votes on an idea are counted across all Ideate stages in a workflow, or counted separately within each individual Ideate stage. | When a workflow contains two or more Ideate stages and voting is enabled, the vote count method can be set for each Ideate stage from the drop-down menu in that stage's Settings section. The selected method determines whether Members can vote again on an idea after it moves to another stage, and how vote counts change when ideas are moved between stages or campaigns. ***![Screenshot 2026-02-27 at 8.39.45 AM](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-02-27%20at%208.39.45%20AM.png?width=400&height=371&name=Screenshot%202026-02-27%20at%208.39.45%20AM.png)*** --- ### Role Permissions 1. Community Administrator: Selects the vote count method, Cumulative or Per Stage Basis, for each Ideate stage in a workflow. 2. Member: Votes on ideas within Ideate stages according to the vote count method set for each stage. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** [Cumulative Vote](https://help.ideascale.com/cumulative-vs-per-stage-basis-vote#cumulative) [Per Stage Basis Vote](https://help.ideascale.com/cumulative-vs-per-stage-basis-vote#stage-basis) [Move Idea](https://help.ideascale.com/cumulative-vs-per-stage-basis-vote#move-idea) [Exceptions](https://help.ideascale.com/cumulative-vs-per-stage-basis-vote#Exceptions) [Frequently Asked Questions](https://help.ideascale.com/cumulative-vs-per-stage-basis-vote#FrequentlyAskedQuestions) --- ### Cumulative Vote Cumulative is the default vote count method for the Ideate stage. When an Ideate stage is set to Cumulative, an idea's vote count is preserved throughout the workflow rather than being reset at each stage. Under the Cumulative method, each Member can vote only once per idea. See Exceptions below for workflows that contain only one Ideate stage. --- ### Per Stage Basis Vote The Per Stage Basis vote count method is available when a workflow contains more than one Ideate stage. Under this method, votes are counted separately within each Ideate stage, based on the idea's current stage stats. 1. One Vote per Stage: Each Member can cast only a single vote on an idea within each Ideate stage. 2. Voting Again After a Move: When an idea moves into another Per Stage Basis Ideate stage within the same workflow, the same Member can vote on that idea again. 3. Vote Count Reset: When an idea moves from a Cumulative Ideate stage to a Per Stage Basis Ideate stage, the vote count starts from zero in the new stage. ***Note: When an idea moves between a Cumulative and a Per Stage Basis Ideate stage, in either direction, votes cast in the previous Ideate stage remain visible under the Activity tab.*** --- ### Move Idea An idea can be moved from one stage to another stage, or from one campaign to another campaign. The effect on its vote count depends on the vote count method of the stages involved and on whether the destination campaign uses the same workflow. --- #### Stage Change If ideas move from one ideate (cumulative/per stage basis) stage to another ideate (cumulative/per stage basis) stage- **a) Condition: Cumulative to Cumulative Stage** **Action:** - Member votes on an idea that is in the cumulative ideate stage. - Idea moves to another cumulative ideate stage. **Outcome:** End users can not vote again on the same idea and the previous vote cannot be retracted. **b) Condition: Per Stage Basis to Per Stage Basis Stage** **Action:** - Member votes on an idea that is in the per stage basis ideate stage. - Idea moves to another per stage basis ideate stage. **Outcome:** End users can vote again on the same idea and the new vote will be counted as a stage-specific vote cast. **c) Condition: Cumulative to Per Stage Basis Stage** **Action:** - Member votes on an idea that is in the cumulative ideate stage. - Idea moves to per stage basis ideate stage. **Outcome:** End users can vote again on the same idea and the vote cast will start from zero. **d) Condition: Per Stage Basis to Cumulative Stage** **Action:** - Member votes on an idea that is in the per stage basis ideate stage. - Idea moves to cumulative ideate stage. **Outcome:** End users can vote again on the same idea and the vote cast will start from zero. 1. In the export idea data report, cumulative and per stage basis vote cast will be summed up together. 2. If an idea moves to a different workflow cumulative/ per stage basis ideate stage and it has previous stage vote, vote cast will start from zero again in the new workflow stage. But the export idea data report shows the total vote cast of the previous stage and present stage. --- #### Campaign Change If an idea moves from one campaign to another campaign. **a) Condition:** Change campaign within the same workflow. **Outcome:** Idea will be moved with the previous vote count to the new campaign. **b) Condition:** Change campaign with different workflow. **Outcome:** - Vote count will start from **zero **in the campaign and the previous campaign's votes cast will not be moved along with the ideas to the new campaign. - Previous campaign vote count will be visible under the Activity tab. - In the **Export Idea Data** report, the total vote count will sum up (previous campaign vote and new campaign vote) If the idea moves to a different stage while changing the campaign the previous votes will still be visible in the Export Idea Data report (even if the new campaign workflow has no ideate stage). --- ### Exceptions 1. Single Ideate Stage: The vote count method selection is not displayed when a workflow contains only one Ideate stage. Cumulative applies by default. 2. Export Idea Data Report Totals: The Export Idea Data report sums Cumulative and Per Stage Basis votes together. The total shown in the report can therefore be higher than the vote count currently displayed on the idea. 3. Move to a Different Workflow: When an idea with existing votes moves to a Cumulative or Per Stage Basis Ideate stage in a different workflow, the vote count starts from zero in the new stage. The Export Idea Data report still shows the total of votes from the previous stage and the current stage. 4. Campaign Change to a Different Workflow: The Export Idea Data report shows the total of the previous campaign's votes and the new campaign's votes. 5. Campaign Change with Stage Change: When an idea moves to a different stage as part of a campaign change, its previous votes remain in the Export Idea Data report, even if the new campaign's workflow contains no Ideate stage. --- ### Frequently Asked Questions ##### Why is the vote count method option not visible in the Ideate stage settings? The vote count method selection only appears when a workflow contains more than one Ideate stage. With a single Ideate stage, Cumulative applies by default. ##### Can a Member vote more than once on the same idea in a Cumulative Ideate stage? No. Under the Cumulative method, each Member can vote only once per idea. This holds even when the idea moves to another Cumulative Ideate stage, and the original vote cannot be retracted. ##### Where can votes from an idea's previous stage or campaign be viewed? Votes cast in a previous Ideate stage or a previous campaign remain visible under the Activity tab of the idea. ##### Why does the Export Idea Data report show a higher vote count than the idea itself? The Export Idea Data report sums Cumulative and Per Stage Basis votes. It also includes votes from previous stages and campaigns, even when the idea's displayed vote count has been reset to zero after a move. ##### Do votes carry over when an idea is moved to another campaign? Votes carry over only when the new campaign uses the same workflow. When the new campaign uses a different workflow, the vote count starts from zero. --- **Related Articles** - [Help Article for Ideate Stage](https://help.ideascale.com/ideate?hsLang=en) - [Help Article for Workflow](https://help.ideascale.com/workflows?hsLang=en) - [Help Article for Export Idea Data](https://help.ideascale.com/export-idea-data-new-community-settings?hsLang=en)   - [Product Updates](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#main-content) - [2026](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#2026) - [2025](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#2025) - [Workspace](https://help.ideascale.com/workspace?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Workspace Homepage](https://help.ideascale.com/workspace?hsLang=en#workspace-homepage) - [Manage Workspace](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Workspace Configuration](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#workspace-configuration) - [Email Settings](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#email-settings) - [Security](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#security) - [Data](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#data) - [Campaign Management](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Campaigns](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en#campaigns) - [Workflow](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en#workflow) - [Team Roles](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en#team-roles) - [IdeaScale AI](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-ai?hsLang=en) - [IdeaScale Whiteboard](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Facilitator Guides](https://help.ideascale.com/ideascale-whiteboard?hsLang=en#facilitator-guides) - [Best Practices](https://help.ideascale.com/best-practices?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQs](https://help.ideascale.com/best-practices?hsLang=en#faqs) - [New User Guides](https://help.ideascale.com/new-user-guides?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Starter Guide](https://help.ideascale.com/new-user-guides?hsLang=en#starter-guide) - [Registration, Password & Authentication, New Users](https://help.ideascale.com/new-user-guides?hsLang=en#registration-password-authentication-new-users) - [Participation](https://help.ideascale.com/new-user-guides?hsLang=en#participation) - [Notifications](https://help.ideascale.com/new-user-guides?hsLang=en#notifications) - [Personal Settings](https://help.ideascale.com/personal-settings?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Email, Services & Devices](https://help.ideascale.com/personal-settings?hsLang=en#email-services-devices) - [Your Communities & Notifications](https://help.ideascale.com/personal-settings?hsLang=en#your-communities-notifications) - [Messages](https://help.ideascale.com/personal-settings?hsLang=en#messages) - [Reporting](https://help.ideascale.com/reporting?hsLang=en) - [Idea Portfolio](https://help.ideascale.com/idea-portfolio?hsLang=en) - [Moderator Dashboard](https://help.ideascale.com/moderator-dashboard?hsLang=en) - [Member Management](https://help.ideascale.com/member-management?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Administrators](https://help.ideascale.com/member-management?hsLang=en#administrators) - [Custom Admin](https://help.ideascale.com/member-management?hsLang=en#custom-admin) - [Members](https://help.ideascale.com/member-management?hsLang=en#members) - [Moderators](https://help.ideascale.com/member-management?hsLang=en#moderators) - [Groups](https://help.ideascale.com/member-management?hsLang=en#groups) - [Community Overview](https://help.ideascale.com/community-overview?hsLang=en) - [Community Settings - Community Configuration](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Community Info](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#community-info) - [Profile Questions](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#profile-questions) - [Tags](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#tags) - [Labels](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#labels) - [Strings](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#strings) - [Landing Pages](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#landing-pages) - [Custom Pages](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#custom-pages) - [Footer](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#footer) - [File Library](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-configuration?hsLang=en#file-library) - [Community Settings - Email Settings](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-email-settings?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-email-settings?hsLang=en#general) - [Notifications](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-email-settings?hsLang=en#notifications) - [Broadcast Emails](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-email-settings?hsLang=en#broadcast-emails) - [Idea Inactivity Emails](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-email-settings?hsLang=en#idea-inactivity-emails) - [Email Logs](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-email-settings?hsLang=en#email-logs) - [Community Settings - Automation](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-automation?hsLang=en) - [Community Settings - Community Access](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-community-access?hsLang=en) - [Community Settings - Integrations](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [App Directory](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-integrations?hsLang=en#app-directory) - [Developer API](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-integrations?hsLang=en#developer-api) - [Community Settings - Data](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-data?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Export Data](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-data?hsLang=en#export-data) - [Import Data](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-data?hsLang=en#import-data) - [Erase Community Data](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-data?hsLang=en#erase-community-data) - [Government](https://help.ideascale.com/government?hsLang=en) - [Policies & Notices](https://help.ideascale.com/policies-notices?hsLang=en) - [Community Settings - Logs](https://help.ideascale.com/community-settings-logs?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icon_V2-1.png?width=24&height=24&name=Icon_V2-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://ideascale.com) IdeaScale's Help Center Copyright © 2026, IdeaScale