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The virtual meeting venue as part of thef


“new normal” has


been widely well-received. With stay-at-home orders that were, or are in place across the country, companies of all types have instituted remote employment structures effectively. Many virtual meeting platforms have come to the forefront to allow this type of accessf


and are quite user-


friendly for the host and participants alike. According to Statistica (https://www.statista.com), “…the United States ranks third with over 313 million active internet users nationwide. As a global hub of technologicalf home to some of thef


world’ decades. T oday


the United States has increased its digital population for over twor


have access to the internet, many of whom could no longer imaginer


in the country are well connected and more than likely knowledgeable about how tow attend meetings virtually.


Although most associations allow for voting via ballot or proxy prior to a membership meeting, many still allow in- person voting. This scenario is quite problematic in a virtual venue but doable. The old phrase still stands: There are no real problems, just real solutions. The introduction of online voting during a virtual meeting is one methodology many associations have adopted versus the in-person paper balloting. Alternatively, with appropriate preparation, the voting may happen prior to the meeting and the results announced at the virtual meeting as discussed below.


As always, there are arguments to the virtual platform such as not all HOA membersA


have the equipment needed


to participate in teleconference meetings or the skill to use it. Of course,f


skills to participate virtually but 8.5 out of 10f The good of thef many outweighs the good of thef one. If anything,f


not all members have the equipment or is not too bad. few, or the


non-apathetic communities alike, participation is actually greater due to the ease of attendancef in the comfort of thef


participant’s own environment. Anyone


with an internet connection and a computer, tablet and/or smartphone can attend and participate. Additionally, there is also the dial-in option.


HOW ABOUT ONLINE VOTING?


Online voting is the wave of the future… well, to be honest, it is the wave of the present. Currently, at least 28 states have adopted legislation allowing for electronic balloting. Severalmore have no legislation specifically dictating what voting method a homeowner association can use.


48 | COMMON INTEREST®


it could be argued that in apathetic and in a virtual venue and


innovation and


s leading internet companies, , over 85r percent of Americansf


Meanwhile, some homeowner association elections still use a paper system that is cumbersome, costly, and archaic.


Homeowner associations utilizing online voting rather than mailed paper ballots realize benefits that include convenience, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and increased integrity. Elections can be held entirely online or as a hybrid of traditional mailed and electronic ballots. Users can register as candidates, view meeting notices, amendment details, and candidate statements, and ultimately cast their ballot online. Online voting allows homeowners to conveniently access an election from any device— computer, tablet, or smartphone—at any time day or night, while still maintaining voter confidentiality.


a life without it.” Hence, 9 out of 10f people All of this raises two important questions: Why wouldn’t y


our association make online voting a reality fory our board of director elections as well as other voting events?


With online voting systems, documents, candidate statements, proposed governing-document amendments, and ballots are created, proofed, and posted in real time. Updates and corrections can be made in minutes— avoiding the need to mail costly and time-sensitive letters. Instead of workingf


months in advance, voting events can be handled when they are most relevant.


In addition to saving time, electronic voting eliminates at least two mailings: (i) the election packet from the association to the homeowner, and (ii) the return ballot from the homeowner. An association of 500f members with an 80% participation rate would spend over $1,000 alone on the paper, printing and postage costs—not to mention the environmental impact of hundreds of printed documents and envelopes! And, the costs go up significantly if a quorum is not met or any errors or changes are discovered after the mailing, requiring the process be repeated. Notices, agendas, candidate submission and review, voting, and election-results reporting can all be handled electronically—allowing funds to be reallocated to better serve homeowners’ interests.


TheCAICalifornia Legislative ActionCommittee (CAI-CLAC) states, “Electronic balloting provides more people with the opportunity to get involved by using already familiar technology.” That said, there are many who question the safety of puttingf


their personal information online even


though current voting procedures may require voters to include their address and signature on the outside of theirf mail-in ballot—giving easy access to any identity thief whof happens by their mailbox. Web-based technology already handles much more sensitive interactions such as online banking and travel arrangements. Many online-election providers utilize the same 256-bit encryption security that banking institutions use. The risks of having your personal information stolen are extremely low in comparison to the added benefits from online voting, such as eliminating mismarked and illegible ballots.


• Winter 2020 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter


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