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Keeping the Reins: Beware of Underhanded Boards and Their Tactics to Remain in Power

Feb 6, 2018

Originally posted on January 9, 2012 by Ryan

Although the SC Nonprofit Code and the governing documents of an association maintain safeguards for fair elections, many boards are coming up with crafty ways to ensure re-election. An article in the Orlando Sentinel lists these as the most popular methods for power-corrupt boards to hold on to their seats:

  1. Create a Nomination Committee, stacked with spouses and friends of the sitting board members. They plainly nominate the sitting board members – nobody else — and the ballot mailed out to the eligible voters will only contain the names of the “wanted” candidates, because the committee declares every other candidate who volunteers not fit to serve. Any owner trying to “nominate himself or herself as a candidate for the board at a meeting” has anyway no chance. The written mailed-in ballots already give the sitting board members the votes necessary for re-election.
  2. HOA elections normally require a quorum of 30% of the total voting interests present in person or by proxy. 30% is quite a high hurdle, and the proxies collected by the board will only be used if it serves the advantage of the sitting board. It’s much easier to declare: “No quorum present” – therefore the old board is the new board.  Before anybody can object, the board and its supporters quickly leave the meeting room. Election won – no matter how many of the other owners complain about procedure.
  3. Mail out general proxies, claiming these proxies only serve the purpose to fulfill the quorum requirements. But since they are actually made out as general proxies, they can be used by the board secretary to count as votes – if necessary.
  4. Intimidation is another often used method to swing the election. Sitting board members go door-to-door to “collect” proxies with themselves named as proxy- holders. Especially the many elderly will often sign the proxy, just to live in peace. Violation letters and fines are the common threats used to “convince” the owners who are not voluntarily willing to sign over their voting rights!

This site and any information contained herein is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.  Seek a competent attorney for advice on any legal matter.

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