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Q. To maximize our chances of obtaining a quorum, is it legally permissible for our condominium association to enter the names of all voters in a raffle for some type of gift?
Whether you live in a condo, co-op, or HOA, board elections are a complicated process, especially when it comes to voting and counting ballots. Yet electing (or re-electing) a board is probably one of the most important exercises the residents of a co-op or condo building can engage in on behalf of their community. After all, board members are the ones who make the crucial decisions about how their building is run – from maintenance schedules to major capital improvements.
In a recent case (Wu v. PSCC 826, 2018 ONSC 2027), a condominium unit owner commenced legal proceedings against the condominium corporation over concerns about board election irregularities and proxy improprieties.
In the US, it's estimated that over 57 million Americans are members of local Homeowner Associations. Over here, the UK equivalent is Residents' Associations, but their aims are much the same....
Proxy voting is widely used by homeowners associations during elections, but homeowners call the process "complicated and confusing". Is there a better option?
Increasing homeowners association members’ participation in elections is a constant challenge for HOA officials. Homeowners association officials have tried experimenting with different incentives.....
To combat low attendance, some community associations are using raffles, or offering prizes--drawing names from returned ballots at the annual meeting, or combining the meeting with a cookout or other social event.
Voting online is a huge time-saver for HOA residents and officials. Although residents want to be a part of their HOA election process, it can be very time-consuming to review all of the amendments, issues and candidates on every ballot. Every homeowner needs to have time to review any and all election communications and voting instructions.
The ultimate challenge for any HOA official is to ensure that voting results are accurate. One of the biggest benefits of electronic voting with Vote HOA Now is the reporting tools.
As many owners in mountain communities don't live in their units year round, boards of mountain communities rely on electronic communication to increase participation by non-resident board members as well as owners.
Empowering homeowners to vote on HOA issues and candidates is one way to affect change in a homeowners association. However, there are occasionally issues during HOA elections, and the voting process can be time-consuming for residents and officials.
Homeowner associations are designed to be representative democracies governed by a board of directors elected by the members. Electing directors to the board that can thoughtfully govern is extremely important. To accomplish this, elections must be carefully planned, not hatched at the last minute. Here are important components of a successful election process.
Voting—In person, absentee ballots, proxies.
(1) Owners may vote at a meeting in person, by absentee ballot pursuant to subsection (3)(d) of this section, or by a proxy pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.
(2) When a vote is conducted without a meeting, owners may vote by ballot pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.
(3) At a meeting of owners the following requirements apply:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (e), or the declaration or bylaws of a condominium to the contrary, at any association meeting the board may direct the use of an electronic voting device regardless of whether a secret ballot is used or required. Except as provided in subsection (e), the use shall be subject to the following:
C.45:22A-45.2 Executive board elections......
(8) An association shall not prevent voting for an executive board member by electronic
means where the executive board determines to employ voting in such manner and an
association member, or voting-eligible tenant where applicable, consents to casting a vote in
such manner.
HB 791 authorizing condominium, cooperative, and homeowners' associations to conduct votes of the membership by online voting passed and will go into effect 7/1/2015.
58-4614. Same; unit owner voting procedures. (a) Unless prohibited or limited by the declaration or bylaws, unit owners may vote at a meeting in person, by secret ballot, by absentee ballot pursuant to subsection (b)(4), by a proxy pursuant to subsection (c), or, when a vote is conducted without a meeting, by electronic or paper ballot pursuant to subsection (d).
Section 47-7E-9 A states:
The association shall provide for votes to be cast in person, by absentee ballot or by
proxy and may provide for voting by some other form of delivery.
Title 27A: Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (1994)
Chapter 3: MANAGEMENT OF THE COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITY
27 V.S.A. § 3-110. Voting; proxies; ballots
Sec. 47-252. Voting. Proxies. Ballots. (a) Unless prohibited or limited by the declaration or bylaws, unit owners may vote at a meeting in person, by a proxy pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or, when a vote is conducted without a meeting, by electronic or paper ballot pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
Except as otherwise provided in the bylaws, the presence or participation, including voting and taking other action, at a meeting of members, or the expression of consent or dissent to corporate action, by a member by conference telephone or other electronic means, including, without limitation, the Internet......
A member or shareholder may vote in person or, unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws otherwise provide, may vote by mail, by electronic transmission.....
(c) If authorized by the statute under which the association is created, and to the extent not limited or prohibited by the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or declaration, the vote on any issue or issues may be taken by electronic means.............,
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