Condo Media - January 2012 - 46

OPERATIONS

by William Gillmeister

Voting in Condominium Associations
It’s as Easy as One, Two, Three
oting and counting votes is as easy as one, two, three. Except, of course, when a presidential election hangs—or dangles, as in chads—in the balance. Or when a decision is divided by only one vote. Speaking of one-vote divisions, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, and Rutherford B. Hayes won the presidency by one vote. The states of California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington gained statehood by just one vote. In these cases, counting votes can get a bit complicated. But, it’s still about just counting: one, two, three. of a group of individuals who seek to accomplish some task. In elections, the nomination process can be as simple as taking nominations from the floor, or as complicated as establishing a nominating committee that prepares a slate of nominees, to which nominations from the floor may be added. a member of it. The nominating committee is well suited to consider various individuals to find the best candidates for the open positions. Once they’ve done their job, many bylaws allow for additional nominations from the floor.

Step Two: Voting
The process of voting is generally established in the bylaws, and methods for voting depend on the circumstance. There are three basic methods for voting: division of the assembly, a secret ballot and a roll-call vote. The division of the assembly is accomplished by a voice vote, a standing vote or show of hands. The most common method of voting by division of the assembly is a voice vote. In a voice vote, once the question or candidates are clearly established, the presiding officer asks, “Are you ready for the vote?” If no one responds, the presiding officer then states the question or candidates and says, “All those in favor, say, ‘aye.’” Then, “All those opposed, say, ‘no.’” In the case of a standing vote or show of hands, the presiding officer would ask members to stand or raise their hands to show their voting preference.

Voting Steps
We often take voting for granted. In elections for public office, administrative officials prepare the ballots according to law. Local clerks dust off the voting machines and on Election Day, everything is set up for us. We just walk in (OK, sometimes we have to wait in line to get in), take ballots or go to the machine and vote. When the polls close, the votes are counted, reported and the winners celebrate, while the losers commiserate. It’s as easy as one, two, three. The first step is to determine who, or what, gets on the ballot. The second step is to determine how the election or voting is conducted. The third step is counting the votes and announcing the results.

Step One: Question or Election
In step one, the process depends on whether it’s a question or an election for officers. Development of the question to be determined, typically a motion or resolution of some sort, occurs through a committee or work

Nominations from the floor take place at a meeting called specifically to take nominations or to actually conduct an election. The presiding officer will say, “Nominations are now in order for the office of president.” Members of the assembly would then call out the names of individuals they would want to see become president. A common misconception is that nominations need to be seconded, as a motion must be. This is not the case, unless the bylaws require it. At some point, no more nominations are made or a member of the assembly makes a motion to close nominations, which requires a two-thirds vote. Many organizations choose to establish a nominating committee. This committee has the job of finding nominees for elected officers. The nominating committee, itself, is usually elected through nominations from the floor. The president should not appoint this committee, nor should the president be

Step Three: Results
In the case of a voice vote, step three comes immediately after, since the presiding officer determines the outcome, by which vote was louder. If the presiding officer is able to discern which had the most votes, he or she declares the result: “The ayes (no’s) have it. The motion is adopted (defeated).” If election of an officer were at stake, and assuming that there were three candidates, the presiding officer would say, “All those in favor of Mr. J, say

CONDO MEDIA • JANUARY 2012

Condo Media - January 2012

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