Informational Blog About HOA Elections
5 Things To Do To Get Ready for Your Next HOA Election
All of a sudden, it’s time to start the next election for your HOA. It seemed so far in the future and then you realize…it’s here! Fortunately, you are already prepared because you followed these simple steps: Keep your HOA mailing list up to date. One of the first...
Why Do HOA Board Elections Take So Long?
The primary reason why HOA board elections take so long is because of certain requirements mandated by SB 323, which went into effect in January 2020. Among other requirements, SB 323 added the requirement for an additional notice in the HOA election process. This...
Can the Outer Envelopes be Opened Prior to the Election?
Our advice to our HOA clients is that we can and should open the outer envelopes (but not the secret ballot envelopes) in advance of the ballot-counting meeting. Dong so preserves voter anonymity and is not inconsistent with the statute. Civil Code 5120(a) states that...
Yes, Notice is Required For Cumulative Voting
Q: Must an HOA member give notice at a meeting before voting begins that he or she intends to cumulate their votes in order for cumulative voting to be allowed on the election ballot? A: YES. When an HOA's governing documents allow cumulative voting, there is still a...
Recommendation About Pre-Printed Return Addresses
Individualized return addresses should not be printed on the outer envelope used to return a ballot because doing so dramatically increases the number of spoiled ballots. This advice sounds counter-intuitive, so let us explain. All associations are required to use a...
How to Choose An Inspector of Elections
Inspectors of Elections may all look the same from the outside, but there are actually important differences between them. Here are some things to look for: (1) Are they experienced with California HOA elections? (2) Is their proposal all-inclusive for all the HOA...