How Best to Cast My Votes??

Started by KerryL1 • 7 replies • 1750 views

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KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Our bylaws permit cumulative voting for directors, but this is the first election when two members expressed their desire for cumulative voting.

This election, we have five candidates for three board openings. I really want Ken, Jon & Ann to win.

I really want Moe & Beth to lose.

I can cast my three votes any way I wish. All three for one person, two for one and one for another, or one apiece. Based on knowing my community pretty well, I feel that Ken & Jon will be the two top voted getters. But I worry about Ann. Should I cast all three of my ballots for Ann?

I know this probably is a very simplistic question, but thanks for any advice.

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

If you are pretty sure that Ken and Jon will without your votes, then give all your votes to Ann as it sound like she needs them most.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Thanks, Larry. I'm pretty tight with a 3 owners who own more than one unit--one owns three. So I might ask them to cast all 9 of theirs for Ann.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

During the transition from Declarant to we owners, one of the things we had the Declarant use his power to change was to remove cumulative voting from the Bylaws. Cumulative voting was originally a civil rights era thing to give more power to minorities. It can be dangerous as it gives to much power to a specific block of voters. It is rarely allowed in any public elections.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

I agree with you, JohnC, but we're stuck with it for now. But, my understanding is that cum. going was to give more power to minority voters in for-profit corps.

If my preferred candidates are elected, we finally will amend our 15 y.o. bylaws and CC&Rs! and believe me, they are a mess!!

LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnC46 on 09/22/2015 7:08 PM
During the transition from Declarant to we owners, one of the things we had the Declarant use his power to change was to remove cumulative voting from the Bylaws. Cumulative voting was originally a civil rights era thing to give more power to minorities. It can be dangerous as it gives to much power to a specific block of voters. It is rarely allowed in any public elections.

Cumulative voting has been around much longer than that, especially in the corporate world. It's purpose was to allow minority owners to put their own people on the board, otherwise the majority owner could stuff the board with his toadies.

I do not think it serves much purpose in the HOA world, where owners should all be equals. In condos, though, where a few owners may own enough units to control the election it may still be a good idea.

I would like to see it used more often in the real world of politics so we could put an end to gerrymandering. In Phoenix, where I live, city council seats were once all elected at large. A candidate had to run his race city-wide and minority voters were effectively disenfranchised. About 30 years ago the city adopted a district system, which was an improvement but had unintended consequences. Council districts were laid out along ethnic lines and we ended up with one mostly-Black district, one mostly Hispanic district, and seven mostly-white districts. The problem with that is if a minority voter moves to another district he effectively loses his electoral voice. Cumulative voting would allow minority voters to vote for minority candidates regardless of where they live.

RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 3,868

Posted:

In the HOA world, developers had three votes per unit, whereas the homeowners had their one. While the developer was in involved with the project, they could also remain in control of the Board.

Si in Kerry's case, they would have 9 votes to spread around, 5 or one and four for another, and Kerry had only three. They could always control, if they chose.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Thanks everyone--I think my questions really is too simple and I feel more confident about how to cast my votes.

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