KEEP THESE DATES IN MIND
By
Rafael Aquino
Published January 22, 2020
Since we are in
the midst of Annual / Election season below, I’ve provided the
timeline for such process. Please note, these dates apply to
condominium associations for those that live in HOA’s you’ll need to
check your docs.
60 Days
Before:
The first notice
of election is sent to the unit owners announcing the date, time,
and place of the election meeting. It also provides the candidacy
cut-off date, the candidate information sheet submission cut-off
date, and instructions for completion of the information sheet. This
notice will also include the meeting agenda and where to mail your
candidacy information.
40 Days
Before:
This date is the
cut-off date for submitting your candidacy. Those wishing to appear
on the ballot must submit their request by personal delivery, post
(certified mail return receipt requested), email, or fax.
Confirmation of receipt before the cut-off date is required.
35 Days
Before:
The cut-off date
for submitting your information sheet for inclusion on the ballot.
You are allowed a one-sided 8.5”x11“. The Association may not
alter or edit your information sheet.
34 To 14 days
before:
The second
notice sent to the unit owners. This notice contains the ballot, the
candidate information sheets, and the inner and outer envelopes.
Candidates’ names appear in alphabetical order. The inner and outer
envelopes are for returning the completed ballots and ensuring voter
confidentiality. Voters write the unit number and sign the outer
envelope, then insert the unmarked inner envelope (containing the
ballot). Voters may deliver the ballot to the Association by post or
by hand, or they may bring it to the election meeting.
Things to keep
in mind:
- The election
is valid as long as 20% of the eligible voters cast their votes. If
voter turnout is less than 20%, the current Board “rolls over.”
- When do you
need a voting certificate? When a unit is owned by more than one
person or by a corporation.
- Suspension of
voting rights requires a meeting. If the Board has not held a
meeting to suspend a unit owner or member’s voting rights formally,
the individual in question must be allowed to vote.
-
Certify in
writing to the Secretary of the Association that he or she has
read the Association’s declaration of condominium, articles of
incorporation, bylaws, and current written policies; that he or
she will work to uphold such documents and policies to the best
of his or her ability; and that he or she will faithfully
discharge his or her fiduciary responsibility to the
Association’s members. (THIS IS A FOOLISH AND INEFFECTUAL
AFFIDAVIT THAT DOESN’T EVEN REQUIRE NEW DIRECTORS TO DEMONSTRATE
AWARENESS OF 718).
-
The newly
elected or appointed Director may submit a certificate of
satisfactory completion of the educational curriculum
administered by a division-approved condominium education
provider. (BEST WAY TO GO!)
