Elections, One Vote One Voice!!

Many homeowners do not know much about homeowners’ associations work, or why the board members are on the board, and how they got there. Under NRS116, a board of directors governs your homeowners association. The members of the association (you and all your neighbors) must elect the board members once the developer has left the property. These board members are all volunteer homeowners that receive no compensation for their work on the board.

Your association is required to elect new board members every year. Depending on your community’s governing documents, board terms can last 1-3 years. If you would like to run for the board, keep an eye out for a form in the mail to nominate yourself to run for the board. Not less than 30 days before a ballot is mailed, the secretary of the association must ensure the members of the association that they can run for the board. Unit owners who would like to see their name on the ballot must complete the nomination form before the deadline on the form. Candidates must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and whether they are a member in good standing (delinquent on assessments).

Once the nomination process has closed, the secretary of your association (along with management) will mail every unit a secret ballot and a return envelope. This is the only ballot you will receive for the election. Your assessment dollars pay for that ballot to be mailed, so don’t ignore it!!! You will have 15 days to cast your vote and mail back to the association. Please mail your ballot back by the date listed on the ballot as the deadline.

Within your ballot package, you will have an agenda for the election meeting. If you are on the ballot, or want to see how the election turns out, you should attend the meeting. There is no quorum requirement for the meeting, but homeowner involvement is encouraged! No person whose name appears on the ballot, and no incumbent board member may handle the ballots for the election. Two volunteers will count the ballots in the presence of the membership in attendance at the meeting. Once the ballots are counted, the volunteer homeowners will announce the results and certify the tally of votes. These records will be part of the permanent files of the association. If the board members elected are present, management will ensure they accept their positions on the board. If not, management will notify them in writing of their election to the board.

Any new board members will be required to review NRS 116 (the state law that governs homeowners associations) and attest in writing they understand it to the best of their ability. Congratulations, you’ve just participated in your first election!!