General Proxy Voting Fact Sheet

Started by SaraF4 • 5 replies • 1506 views

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SaraF4 (Hawaii)
Posts: 5

Posted:

Our HOA uses a general proxy with cumulative voting. I'm looking for a simple to understand fact sheet that would be a "how to" on voting so that owners, particularly new owners and/or absentee owners, will understand how to vote.

Does anyone have such a fact sheet.

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SaraF4 on 12/09/2013 3:32 PM
Our HOA uses a general proxy with cumulative voting. I'm looking for a simple to understand fact sheet that would be a "how to" on voting so that owners, particularly new owners and/or absentee owners, will understand how to vote.

Does anyone have such a fact sheet.

OMG! Cumulative voting? Good luck!

Here's how it works.

Let's say you have three open positions on the board. That means that each homeowner gets three votes. With cumulative voting a homeowner may cast those three votes any way he/she wishes.

1. One vote may be cast for each of three candidates; or
2. Two votes may be cast for one candidate and the remaining vote for another candidate; or
3. All three votes may be cast for a single candidate.

In my opinion, a nightmare!

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

I do not understand why this would be a nightmare.

In the example you just gave, each homeowner would receive three ballots, one for each vacant seat. He makes a single X next to one name on each ballot. He can mark all three ballots as you described. He deposits his ballots in the box. When the votes are counted, the three candidates with the most votes win. Pretty simple if you can count to three.

Cumulative voting is often used to allow minority interests to occupy seats on the board in proportion to their votes. Without cumulative voting, the majority holds all the power all the time.

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LarryB13 on 12/09/2013 8:35 PM
Cumulative voting is often used to allow minority interests to occupy seats on the board in proportion to their votes. Without cumulative voting, the majority holds all the power all the time.

It can also be abused by allowing a minority with special interests, not necessarily well-meaning, to get "their boy" elected.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

What is it that you believe they may not understand? How to cumulative vote?

Cumulative voting says that if 5 people are running for the BOD then I, the eligible voter, get 5 votes. I can apportion (divide and allocate) them as I want including voting all 5 for one candidate or any other combinations such as four for one candidate and one for one candidate, etc.

Cumulative voting is typically how Corporate BODs are elected. It is rarely used in any public elections.

Hope this helps.

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By BruceF1 on 12/10/2013 4:40 AM

It can also be abused by allowing a minority with special interests, not necessarily well-meaning, to get "their boy" elected.

So what? They are still in the minority. Their agenda does not get approved unless it is acceptable to the majority.

Cumulative voting does not give the minority control of the board; it merely allows their voices to be heard when the board deliberates.

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