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KW3 (California)
Posts: 146
Posted:
Hi, this seems trivial, but I do need a clear and legally backed answer to the question (if state-related, we are in CA): how to resolve a board voting with even number of directors on board (i.e., one director resigns) and favor-oppose in equal votes? Assume that the president is still on board and holding the meeting. An answer of appointing a member to fill the vacancy is no good because it may be just the case that same number of directors favor two different members to join the board. I wonder can the residing president "legally" decide and break the tie vote? Appreciate comments.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,063
Posted:
KW3,

I don't believe anyone on this board, even if qualified to do so, would give you a legal opinion. For that, you will need to seek out advise from a local attorney.

Members of this board are willing to offer advise and are even willing to do a bit of research to make the advise better. However, there are times that those offering advise must agree to disagree.

Typically, if a vote is tied, then the motion fails to pass and life goes on. The motion can be made and voted on again in the future if desired (as there is nothing preventing even a failed motion from being reintroduced and passed in the future).

Hope this helps,

Tim
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569
Posted:
generally speaking (specifically in SC):

most by-laws only allow the president to vote in order to break a tie

eg: 6 BOD (incl. pres.) = 5 vote = no tie

5 BOD (incl. pres.) = 4 vote = tie possible -> pres. votes to break tie

voila: no tie vote possible presuming quorum has been met to enable a vote

check both your by-laws and your state's 'not-for-profit' corporate law
KW3 (California)
Posts: 146
Posted:
Tim, There is a misunderstanding: I have no intention to ask legal opinion from this forum, but looked for an answer with specific law/civil code/statue referred to (e.g., Robert's rule). I have found no specifics in our bylaws (as John suggested) related to this issue. However, I do think your point on "fail to pass if voting is tie" deserves credit as a solution for this issue (not perfect though, MO).

John, I do not think "the present is not allowed to vote unless there is a tie" is a common practice in CA. Maybe I am wrong? Any CA members here?
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,063
Posted:
KW3,

Perhaps this will help: Roberts Rules Online - Article VIII Vote

Scroll down to the 7th paragraph and you will find this:

"On a tie vote the motion is lost, and the chair, if a member of the assembly, may vote to make it a tie unless the vote is by ballot. The chair cannot, however, vote twice, first to make a tie and then give the casting vote."

Or this link: Davis Sterling dot com site

Scroll down to Voting, and clicking deadlocked board will get you this [emphasis added]:

"If an association has an even number of directors who are equally divided and cannot agree as to the management of the association's affairs, any director or members holding not less than 33 1/3 percent of the voting power may bring an action to have the court appoint a provisional director to break the deadlock. Corp. Code ยง7225

A provisional director has all the rights and powers of a director until the deadlock in the board is broken or until the provisional director is removed by order of the court or by approval of a majority of all members."

The word "may" means that this is an option and not a requirement.

Using the davis-sterling.com link again, scroll down and click on "tie vote" and you will get this:

"Tie Vote by Board Members
QUESTION: If a board vote results in a tie because the president abstains from a vote, can the president at a later date cast her vote and break the tie?

ANSWER: The president cannot, after the vote was taken and the meeting adjourned, cast a vote to break the tie. The motion failed when the board deadlocked 2-2. However, under limited circumstances, the matter may be brought up for reconsideration. At that point, the president can cast her vote."

All of this was quickly discovered using Google searches.

Hope it helps,

Tim

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
Since this appointing process is much like an election, then just keep voting until there is a consensus or majority.

During the discussion time, the person sponsoring this candidate should make statements that could sway other voters. Or bring in another candidate's name.

What is the best interest of the HOA is the most important thing, not partisan politics. We have enough of that on the local and national poltical scene.
KW3 (California)
Posts: 146
Posted:
Tim, Many thanks for the related "rules" we can refer to for the issue.
KW3 (California)
Posts: 146
Posted:
Susan, Thanks for your comments.

Quote:
Posted By SusanW1 on 12/20/2010 6:08 AM
...During the discussion time, the person sponsoring this candidate should make statements that could sway other voters. Or bring in another candidate's name...

The thing is: Half of the board members nominate one candidate and another half nominate another candidate. All for the purpose of making the group become majority.

Quote:
What is the best interest of the HOA is the most important thing, not partisan politics. We have enough of that on the local and national poltical scene.

Unfortunately, if the situation is seen as partisan politics, it may still come down to the best interest of the HOA, which is no doubt the most important thing. The case: half of the board conduct association businesses in a way of pursuing interest toward their personal end and intend to keep the status quo, but another half want to change it toward benefiting the whole community (of course both sides claim and show the same good gesture). Hence, both sides need to bring one associate to make them a majority. Is this partisan politics? or a fight for the community?
KW3 (California)
Posts: 146
Posted:
Tim & Others,

Got a new thought and wonder if it can be taken according to the election of board directors: when the even number BDs vote to appoint one of two homeowners to fill a vacancy with a tie, the board does "flip-a-coin" to decide who wins the seat. Any comment?
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,063
Posted:
Appointments should be done by vote of the Board. If the board is deadlocked, why not call a special meeting of the membership to vote on the two candidates?

This would be far more professional then the flip of a coin. I would also be concerned of any board member who thought any decision was worth the time to discuss the pros and cons but that his/her vote should be changed based, not on the relevant facts, but a game of chance. If they felt that way, then they should have abstained from the vote in the first place.

KW3 (California)
Posts: 146
Posted:
Tim, I thought about the "flip-a-coin" because it is the first option we can take when two candidates of BD election are tied in ballot vote count (second option is to take a special election by membership) according to Davis-Sterling act. I thought it could be applied to the case of appointing a new board member by the board. Personally, I am against the "gambling" way of deciding an office or directorship position.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,063
Posted:
KW,

Unless your actually required to have 5 board members (IMO we are required to have 3 but may have up to 5), then why not just leave that chair vacant?

The board is deadlocked in a tie, therefore the motion fails to pass. Move forward.

However, if you are required to have 5 board members then either find another candidate that a majority of the board can agree to or call a special meeting so the members can decide.

Tim
SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
Or find a compromise candidate

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