Many HOA-governed communities are likely to hold their elections in the weeks or months to come, where new board members will be selected and some current ones will, perhaps, step down. The election process is an exciting one, but it can also be a daunting one. It is imperative for your HOA board to ensure that it is not falling prey to classic election errors—like the ones listed here:
- The most common HOA election mistake in the world is simply failing to play by your own rules. In most instances, this does not happen as the result of malice or ill intent; it is simple oversight, a lack of familiarity with the rules. Make sure you read your governing documents carefully as you seek to ascertain what is and is not permitted with regard to HOA elections. Especially note little details, like how much advance notice you are required to give for an HOA meeting.
- On a related note, it is easy to get so swept up in the excitement of elections that you neglect to check for a quorum. Without a quorum present, it is not permissible to hold the election. In many communities, the quorum represents a very small percentage, yet it is still vital to check for one.
- Not only is it important to have a quorum; you also need to document that quorum. Failing to have participants sign in is a big error!
- Another mistake is thinking that everyone in the community gets to vote. Depending on the governing documents, it is likely true that your HOA only permits one vote per unit, which means that a husband and wife must vote together, instead of counting as two separate votes.
- A final error to avoid is miscounting votes. Simple human blunders are easy enough to make, and completely forgivable, but do make sure to count the votes multiple times to ensure accuracy!
By avoiding some of these common mistakes, you can ensure that your HOA board elections go smoothly!
