California HOA Elections

Resources

Reference articles on California HOA election documents, procedures, and roles — and step-by-step guides for common election types.

Articles

Election documents and procedures

Ballot

Secret ballot document distributed inside a two-envelope system

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Cumulative Voting

Allocating multiple votes across candidates when permitted by governing documents

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Detachable Page

Separable section of the ballot package used for floor nominations

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Election Rules

Association procedures governing qualifications, nominations, and voting methods

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Electronic Consent Form

Notice allowing members to opt in or out of electronic ballot delivery

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Floor Nomination

Nominations made during the election meeting — largely impractical under secret ballot requirements

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General Notice

Methods for communicating required documents to all association members

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Individual Notice

Required delivery to a specific member using their preferred contact method

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Inner Envelope

Sealed envelope containing the completed ballot that preserves vote confidentiality

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Inspector of Elections

Independent third-party responsible for overseeing the election process

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Irrevocable Ballot

A submitted ballot that cannot be changed or withdrawn once received

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Nomination Form

Document for members to nominate themselves for the Board of Directors

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Nomination Form Reminder

Notice sent before the nomination deadline listing open seats and current candidates

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Pre-Ballot Notification

Notice sent before ballot distribution listing candidates and election details

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Proxy

Document authorizing another member to vote on a unit owner's behalf

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Proxy Grantor

The unit owner who grants proxy authority to another member

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Proxy Holder

The member who receives a proxy and submits a ballot on the grantor's behalf

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Record Date

Date used to determine which members are eligible to vote

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Return Envelope

Signed outer envelope used to return the sealed ballot to the inspector

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Two-Envelope System

Required paper ballot process using an inner sealed envelope and signed outer return envelope

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Voter List

Official record of eligible voters including unit identifiers and delivery preferences

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Write-In Candidate

A handwritten candidate name not printed on the ballot

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Guides

Election guides and procedures

01

Annual Election

Board of Directors election process under the Davis-Stirling Act

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02

Change in Governing Documents

Voting procedures for amending CC&Rs, bylaws, or other governing documents

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03

Election by Acclamation

Streamlined process when the number of nominees equals the open seats

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04

Electronic Voting

Consent registry, hybrid ballot delivery, and dual-stream reconciliation

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05

Proxy Guide

Authorizing another member to vote on behalf of a unit owner

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06

Recall

Removing a board member from office before their term expires

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Free Tool

HOA Election Timeline Calculator

Enter your election date and type to get every required deadline — nomination forms through ballot mailing — in sequence.

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