Voting Fraud? Florida

We had our annual meeting the other night. We couldn't start the meeting until we had a quorum of voters. Three of us went knocking on doors before the meeting was called. I brought back one proxy and one voting ballot that someone forgot to send. (Florida)

I added it to the pile of other ballots waiting to be opened and counted. Again...before any meetings had started.

When the ballots were counted and posted it was reveled that I had ONE more vote than another person. That person announced that I had committed Voter Fraud. I don't think I did. Everything was done before a meeting was called and before any votes were counted.

Thoughts? And thank you!

Is anyone allowed to pick up actual ballots from individual voters in FL associations and bring them to the polling place? ? This might possibly be in your Bylaws, but probably not.

Collecting proxies in order to make quorum is generally OK. Collecting actual votes probably is not, since the potential for fraud is obvious.

Not saying that happened here. But if the accuser wants to push this legally, he'd probably be able to since it there is no way to prove what actually happened one way or the other.

If I were the winner, I would want the election to be squeaky clean so that I didn't have to deal with accusations such as this. I'd be proactive and publicly ask for a do-over - being dragged kicking and screaming into a do-over is not a good look and helps support the accuser's claim of dishonesty.

What was the response after the accusation was made? It would seem to me someone would have checked the proxy to ensure it was signed and dated (in ink) the actual owner and if that was the case, don't count the proxy. Or check with the owner to see what he or she intended for the proxy to do. For example,
If a vote was cast for you, was it clearly marked accordingly? Did anyone witness him or her completing and signing the ballot? Did the owner actually place the proxy in an envelope and seal it before handing it to you?

Wendy's correct in that people bellow about voter fraud without a tissue of evidence - some can't even tell you what it is. Hopefully your board researched this properly- if the proxy is thrown out, there may have to be a runoff. Thus time, remind the homeowner to turn in thing to the board personally or attend the meeting where the election will occur and cast the vote.

The ballots do not need to be mailed with a stamp on it. Nothing needs to be mailed in; lots of people bring their proxies and ballots directly to the meeting. Some bring them for people who cannot attend the meeting. Some people may think that those ballots may be fraudulent too. The thought of "fraud" or "misdeed" never popped into my head. My only concern was getting enough proxies to hold the meeting. Two years ago it had to be postponed because of that issue.

When the Board Members names were announced the woman said to me, "Nice move Anna!!" I thought it was a joke and I said, "What? Are you accusing me of "voter fraud"? I said it LIKE a joke. She said, "Yes, exactly that." I was stunned and just shook my head. But I've always known what she's like and I wasn't going to argue with her. She left at that time. As of yet, no one has asked for a run-off; I'm not sure if that's a "thing" or not. But I wouldn't be opposed to it.

There was a witness. I told the gentleman to take the paperwork inside and to sit down to read and fill it out. His next door neighbor was outside and saw me standing outside his front door for a while, while she was outside with her kids. I was talking to them, too.

I went to the meeting prepared that I might lose my seat on the Board that night. I took all my paperwork, contracts, association door keys, and the petty cash to the meeting. I wanted to turn over everything at the meeting to show total transparency and that everything was on the up and up. Then be done with it.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your input, suggestions, and opinions.
THANK YOU!

Anna

Stop worry about what one fool said. Move on.

I agree with JohnC.

Kerry, John and everyone else....thank you for your thoughtful replies. If it goes further I'll let you know, and once again ask for your input. Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone!
Anna