ReneeD (Illinois)
Posts: 201
Posts: 201
Posted:
Would anyone have an example of an absentee ballot they are willing to share with me? Thanks. -ReneeD
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Example of Absentee Ballot
Started by ReneeD • 7 replies • 6692 views
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WilliamW (Florida)
Posts: 11
Posts: 11
Posted:
You should do away with Absetee Ballots as well as Proxies. You can vote them out of your documents and live happily ever after. This way everyone votes via ballot and you should include a spot where they can write in a name or two if they don't like the slate offered. This can take the place of nominations from the floor.
HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906
Posts: 906
Posted:
William, I agree with you about proxies - and so does the Arizona legislature who last year outlawed them, but they mandated absentee ballots instead. The law states "The absentee ballot shall set forth each proposed action," and further states "The absentee ballot shall provide an opportunity to vote for or against each proposed action." Thus effectively eliminating floor nominations or proposals, or board proposals. This ensures that all members can vote on board members and any proposals. This insures that a board cannot try to pass any proposal with just a handful in attendance. Why would you want just the handful who attend the meeting to make the decision as to who will run the board? Eliminating absentee ballots isn't going to get more members to attend the meeting. Now the existing board can no longer just grab a bunch of mailed-in proxies to ensure their continued existence. Harold
WilliamW (Florida)
Posts: 11
Posts: 11
Posted:
Harold:
We have a 30% quorum that has to kick in prior to any vote counting. Also, we mail out ballots for every situation prior to asking for a vote or approval on any item. This prevents any small group from passing anything. Our major problem and the major problem of every HOA or Condo is voter apathy and my friend that is here to stay. People lose interest very rapidly. Take a look at the attendance at your next board meeting. You will see that most of the people that are attending are the die hard complainers. It is sad that those who are content with things seldom attend a board meeting. I have quite a few years serving as a board member, twice as President at different locations and I know of what I speak.
We have a 30% quorum that has to kick in prior to any vote counting. Also, we mail out ballots for every situation prior to asking for a vote or approval on any item. This prevents any small group from passing anything. Our major problem and the major problem of every HOA or Condo is voter apathy and my friend that is here to stay. People lose interest very rapidly. Take a look at the attendance at your next board meeting. You will see that most of the people that are attending are the die hard complainers. It is sad that those who are content with things seldom attend a board meeting. I have quite a few years serving as a board member, twice as President at different locations and I know of what I speak.
RogerB (Colorado)
Posts: 5,067
Posts: 5,067
Posted:
William, if you do away with absentee ballots and proxies how do you provide a means of voting when you can not attend the meeting? Or do you mean absentee voting when you refer to everyone vote via ballot?
And without proxies many HOs could not get a quorum. Have you experienced the inability to conduct a meeting due to limited attendance? Furthermore, most bylaws allow nomination of Directors from the floor at the annual meeting. This is absolutely necessary to get Directors when there are no nominees to place on an absentee ballot.
I see advantages to what you suggest. But when compared to the disadvantages, I am in stongly in favor of general proxies, directed proxies, or absentee ballots depending on the circumstances.
And without proxies many HOs could not get a quorum. Have you experienced the inability to conduct a meeting due to limited attendance? Furthermore, most bylaws allow nomination of Directors from the floor at the annual meeting. This is absolutely necessary to get Directors when there are no nominees to place on an absentee ballot.
I see advantages to what you suggest. But when compared to the disadvantages, I am in stongly in favor of general proxies, directed proxies, or absentee ballots depending on the circumstances.
HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906
Posts: 906
Posted:
Here is an interesting summary of the Arizona "Proxy & Absentee Ballot" law. Also this site's interpretration of living with this law. Harold
http://parli.com/Homeowners/homeowners3-02.htm
http://parli.com/Homeowners/homeowners3-02.htm
BarbaraS (New Mexico)
Posts: 49
Posts: 49
Posted:
Approximately 30% of our units are rentals. The Board is responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds and recently requested a maintenance fee increase, the first in thirty years, in order to fulfill its duties. We mailed ballots describing the increase and the opportunity to vote for or against the increase. We also including a set date for counting the votes which gave a six week response period. We also stated in the mailing that a no response would be considered a "yes" vote. Were we legal in doing this?
BarbaraS (New Mexico)
Posts: 49
Posts: 49
Posted:
Approximately 30% of our units are rentals. The Board is responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds and recently requested a maintenance fee increase, the first in thirty years, in order to fulfill its duties. We mailed ballots describing the increase and the opportunity to vote for or against the increase. We also including a set date for counting the votes which gave a six week response period. We also stated in the mailing that a no response would be considered a "yes" vote. Were we legal in doing this?
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