Did you know that the United States of America is the oldest, standing democracy in the world? Rather fittingly, many processes within the country, like assembling your HOA board, work democratically.
The association must follow specific HOA election guidelines to select those who responsibly perform their duties. Why does this matter? The board of directors is the leadership within every homeowner's association.
The HOA voting process is very involved and requires much effort to ensure a fair election. Keep reading to learn what it takes for Columbus HOA management to hold a valid election.
HOA Board Election Process
The first step should be establishing what positions require filling. Every spot likely won't need filling at once, most homeowner's associations stagger their board terms so there are no overlapping vacancies. The next step is creating the electoral roll. An electoral roll contains the names of all eligible voters along with:
- Member numbers
- Addresses
- Contact details
The roll may need updating with new members' details. People who've moved away should have their information deleted. People who can't vote -- those outside the voter catchment area (geographic boundary) or who may owe dues -- should be part marked as ineligible or placed on a separate list.
Announcement and Opening Nominations
Step three is announcing the election and opening nominations. Members must be told there's an election being held and that they can volunteer for open HOA board positions. Your state laws, local laws, and community association rules decide the exact rules for how the election should run.
However, below are two things you can expect these laws to have in common:
- The number of signatures a volunteer needs to be a candidate
- That the would-be candidate is in good standing with the HOA
Once everyone has been informed and candidates have been chosen, the HOA management team can make the ballot papers and give official election dates. Some management teams may opt for flyers. Others may use email, it's an environmentally friendly, cheap, and convenient way to tell the neighborhood.
Set up and Election Process
Step four is to set up and hold the election. Management must check what state and local laws require for the HOA voting process to count as valid, for example:
- Is there a specific way ballot papers should look?
- How should candidates be organized?
- Can voters cast their votes online or must they be in-person?
Election rules must be followed meticulously. Failure to adhere to rules (state, local, or bylaws) could overturn the results. The election will have a clear cut-off point; once this point arrives, votes received will be ignored. Ballots are then counted and invalid votes (like spoiled ballots) are thrown out. Election bylaws should state who should be present during this process.
Here's How to Find Your Hoa Board
It's important to find the right people to carry out HOA board responsibilities. Having the right Columbus HOA management team can help. You can rest easy because PMI Scioto Metro is here to help. We offer professional management services across the greater Columbia area.
You can trust us to help conduct your HOA board election and other duties like financial management, administrative management, maintenance, and more. Contact us, and we can begin making your community a better place to live.
