Existing law requires elections concerning the governance of common interest developments to be held by secret ballot in accordance with certain procedures.

This bill would amend Civil Code Section 5115 and add Civil Code Section 5116 to authorize an association to conduct an election by electronic secret ballot unless the association’s governing documents provide otherwise. If an electronic secret ballot is conducted by internet website, the bill would require individual notice of the ballot be delivered to each member and would require that notice to also include specified information, including instructions on how to vote by electronic secret ballot. The bill would specify that an electronic secret ballot is effective when transmitted and irrevocable. The bill would prohibit the use of an electronic secret ballot unless the association creates procedures that provide an opportunity for members to vote by written secret ballot.