HOA Election
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Annual Elections

Under Civil Code §5115, every California HOA annual election must follow a minimum three-stage mailing sequence calculated backward from the meeting date. The nomination form must be mailed at least 30 days before the pre-ballot notice. The pre-ballot notice must be mailed at least 30 days before ballots. Ballots must be mailed at least 30 days before the meeting. Condo Elects uses a strict 94-day operational buffer — accounting for weekends and US federal holidays — to avoid timing defects.

Election by Acclamation

Under Civil Code §5103, if the number of candidates does not exceed the number of open board seats after the nomination deadline, the board may declare the election by acclamation. In this case, no ballots are issued.

The acclamation process relies on two critical milestones: the nomination deadline and a mandatory reminder notice sent at least 7 days, and no more than 30 days, before that deadline. Some industry timelines begin the acclamation process significantly earlier to preserve operational flexibility if the election later requires a transition to a full ballot process.

Because Condo Elects can regenerate timelines, notices, and election materials immediately if acclamation no longer applies, associations can often maintain schedules closer to the statutory sequencing requirements without extended administrative lead times.

Recall Elections

Recall elections can follow the same three-stage timeline as annual elections when replacement candidates will appear on the ballot if the recall passes: nomination form, pre-ballot notice, and ballot mailing under Civil Code §5115.

Governing Document Changes

Votes to change governing documents are generally safer to run as a two-mailing sequence: a pre-ballot notification 30 days before ballots to allow time for voter list corrections under Civil Code §5105, followed by ballot mailing under Civil Code §5115.

Electronic Voting Deadlines

Under Civil Code §5105, members must be allowed to change their preferred voting method no later than 90 days before the election. Electronic voting is not permitted for regular or special assessment elections under Civil Code §5105.