Cumulative Voting

Started by RandyB7 • 6 replies • 241 views

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RandyB7 (Indiana)
Posts: 2

Posted:

For the first time since most of us can remember, we have an upcoming board of directors election in April 2024 with four individuals running for 3 open positions. Our by-laws state there can be no cumulative voting. What we are struggling with does that mean each household gets a single vote and can only vote for one of the three candidates? Or is it OK for a single household to vote for up to three of the candidates (one vote for each candidate-not multiple votes for one candidate?). The positions are all the same- board member. We are a small HOA of 137 households and everyone we've talked to can't remember a "real" election in the past. More like 2 positions open and only 1 person running. Or 4 positions open and only 1 person running. Nobody seems to know??

I guess my main question is: Is allowing HOA members to vote for a "slate" of candidates (3 positions open, 4 people running) and vote for up to 3 different candidates?

This is my first post as I just found this forum today. Thanks.

RandyB7

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

If there are three seats up for election, each member gets to cast a vote for each seat.

What they can not do is take their single vote for each seat and give three votes to one seat, as that would be cumulative voting.

ElleN (Idaho)
Posts: 4,420

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RandyB7 on 10/24/2023 11:47 AM
Our by-laws state there can be no cumulative voting. What we are struggling with does that mean each household gets a single vote and can only vote for one of the three candidates?

No.

Quote:

Posted By RandyB7 on 10/24/2023 11:47 AM
Or is it OK for a single household to vote for up to three of the candidates (one vote for each candidate-not multiple votes for one candidate?).

Yes, this is correct.

Three board seats are open. Each household gets to vote for one person for each open seat.

RandyB7 (Indiana)
Posts: 2

Posted:

Thank you for your prompt replies. That's what we thought but then we got bogged down in the definition of cumulative voting.

Thanks again.

RandyB7

DavidG45 (Delaware)
Posts: 994

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RandyB7 on 10/24/2023 11:47 AM
For the first time since most of us can remember, we have an upcoming board of directors election in April 2024 with four individuals running for 3 open positions. Our by-laws state there can be no cumulative voting. What we are struggling with does that mean each household gets a single vote and can only vote for one of the three candidates? Or is it OK for a single household to vote for up to three of the candidates (one vote for each candidate-not multiple votes for one candidate?). The positions are all the same- board member. We are a small HOA of 137 households and everyone we've talked to can't remember a "real" election in the past. More like 2 positions open and only 1 person running. Or 4 positions open and only 1 person running. Nobody seems to know??

I guess my main question is: Is allowing HOA members to vote for a "slate" of candidates (3 positions open, 4 people running) and vote for up to 3 different candidates?

This is my first post as I just found this forum today. Thanks.

RandyB7

Cumulative voting is a specific kind of voting that allows you to cast multiple votes for a single candidate. With your current situation your home gets one vote for up to three candidates. So you can cost a vote for A, B, and D, for example.

With cumulative voting you could cast all three votes for, say, Candidate B. Or you could cast two votes for B and one vote for C. And so forth. It is primarily useful for areas in which a specific minority would like to increase their chances of being represented. For example, in my community we have 205 homes in a 55+ section, with 460 homes not in the 55+. With cumulative voting the 55+ folks could cast all of their votes for a single candidate from the 55+ side to guarantee they are represented.

So, as others have said, your home gets to cast one ballot, and on that ballot you can give one vote to each of three candidates.

BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217

Posted:

To clarify a bit, an individual ballot cannot contain more than one vote for each of three candidates. However, it can contain only one vote for one candidate or one vote for each of two candidates and still be valid.

There is no requirement to cast a single vote for each of three candidates if you wish to vote for A and B but cannot stand C and D.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Good point by BillH.

Our recent election only had 3 candidates for 3 openings and I only voted for two because the 3rd is a useless bench warmer. He did get far fewer votes than the other two. that tabulations, as required in CA were announced at the meeting, published on a bulletin board and noted in our monthly News. Maybe he'll try to be a director?

(Don't ask why we didn't do an election by acclamation)

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