election rules

Is the ballot to elect officers or BOD members? Typically, Membership elects the BOD, then the BOD chooses the officers.

Whatever the case, the package as described sounds reasonable unless your docs state otherwise. What part do you think might be illegal?

I think there may be some confusion regarding terms. I think they can include candidate bios in the "election package" which may also include the double envelope and ballot.

Try here for all of the info you need re: CA election laws:

http://www.californiacondoguru.com/SB61.html

The law itself doesn't discuss whether anything other than the ballots and second envelope can be mailed with the ballot:

"Ballots and two preaddressed envelopes with instructions on how to return ballots shall be mailed by first-class mail or delivered by the association to every member not less than 30 days prior to the deadline for voting. In order to preserve confidentiality, a voter may not be identified by name, address, or lot, parcel, or unit number on the ballot. The association shall use as a model those procedures used by California counties for ensuring confidentiality of voter absentee ballots, including all of the following: (1) The ballot itself is not signed by the voter, but is inserted into an envelope that is sealed. This envelope is inserted into a second envelope that is sealed. In the upper left hand corner of the second envelope, the voter prints and signs his or her name, address, and lot, or parcel, or unit number that entitles him or her to vote. (2) The second envelope is addressed to the inspector or inspectors of election, who will be tallying the votes. The envelope may be mailed or delivered by hand to a location specified by the inspector or inspectors of election. The member may request a receipt for delivery."

The board may include biographies in the election package:

http://davis-stirling.com/ds/pages/candidate_statements.htm

More on elections here:

http://www.davis-stirling.com/election.htm

Joe