Tag Archives: election

FL: In master planned communities, HOA members rarely get a direct vote

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities For several years here at IAC, I’ve been posting articles about election and voting disputes in association-governed communities. Homeowners contact me regularly, complaining that their homeowners,’ condominium, or cooperative association engages in manipulative tactics and dirty tricks to rig elections or referenda on important issues that require a vote of membership. Proxies are collected and hoarded by board members. Ballot signatures are forged, resulting in dead people and absentee Continue ReadingFL: In master planned communities, HOA members rarely get a direct vote→

NH property owners say HOA elections are undemocratic

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Yesterday’s post highlighted an HOA election dispute in Georgia. Today IAC highlights an antiquated HOA election process in Chimney Hill Owners’ Association, Vermont. When Chimney Hill was established in 1967, it was common for such associations, including those in association-governed communities, to establish a nominating committee. The nominating committee would interview and evaluate potential candidates for the board, and present them to members on the annual election ballot. Continue ReadingNH property owners say HOA elections are undemocratic→

After nearly three years of legal battles, Florida condo owners find replacing their board a daunting task

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Whenever I read talking points from an industry trade group, Community Associations Institute (CAI), claiming that Association Governed Communities are “democratic” self- governance, I cringe. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps in a perfect world. But most associations are far from perfection when it comes to conducting clean annual elections. As HOA, condo, and co-op election season swings into full gear in many associations, there will Continue ReadingAfter nearly three years of legal battles, Florida condo owners find replacing their board a daunting task→

When these HOA members got involved, they got sued

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities How many times have we heard homeowners, Community Association Managers and attorneys lament about apathy in HOAs? A quick Google search on “HOA Apathy” results in dozens of articles on the subject. Few attend annual meetings, so there’s never a quorum. No one wants to serve on the Association’s board. Does anyone actually read emails, newsletters, or the website? Well, a group of 9 homeowners in Shadowmoss Plantation HOA Continue ReadingWhen these HOA members got involved, they got sued→