Do Voting Results for a Condo Have to Be Posted?

Whether condo voting results should be posted or not depends on local laws and an association’s bylaws. That said, in most cases, voting results of a condo association board election are posted for all members to see.

There are reasons why posting is a good idea, and there are ways it should be done to stay in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations. 

Deciding to Post or Not to Post Voting Results

Condo associations operate within a legal framework that can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another. It is essential for condo associations and residents to be well-versed in the specific legal requirements and issues of voting transparency in their area. 

Begin your research by reading your state laws pertaining to condo association elections and voting. Some states make disclosure of voting results mandatory, while others don’t. You also want to determine what the law says about:

• Who should have access to the voting results
• Any time requirements about when results need to be posted

Laws may require condo associations to make voting outcomes accessible to all members, often within a specified timeframe after the elections.

Next, check your condo association’s bylaws. They will be written in accordance with state laws but the board of directors can make amendments regarding the procedure or scope of disclosure.

What Are the Benefits of Posting Condo Voting Results?

Most states and condo associations favor disclosure of voting results. This is because it helps build trust, accountability, and community wellbeing by:

• Promoting fair elections: Publishing election results makes it more difficult for anyone to tamper or manipulate them. If the outcome is vastly different than what the majority of members were expecting, there’s bound to be a reaction.

• Ensuring informed participation: With transparency in voting results, residents feel empowered. When they know how their neighbors voted and understand the outcomes of important decisions, it encourages them to engage in discussions, attend meetings, and contribute to the community's operations.

• Resolving conflict: Transparency also helps prevent and resolve conflicts within condo associations. When residents are informed about voting results, it reduces the potential for misunderstandings or suspicions regarding the decision-making process.

Potential Privacy Concerns

There’s an important privacy concern that comes into play when publicly disclosing voting results. Some people may feel uneasy about their voting decision being disclosed to others and it’s essential for the governing body to respect the preferences of these individuals. 

A noteworthy insight can be found in the California Native Vote Project Field Research Report (2019 to 2020). About 40% of respondents thought that disclosing voting results was a clear invasion of privacy. On the contrary, 78% favored general disclosure of voting results as long as individual names and their voting choices remained confidential. 

This highlights the significance of protecting resident privacy in condo association matters and the need for thoughtful policies. To ensure the protection of individual privacy, the board must come up with a balanced approach to maintain trust and harmony within the community.

What Are the Best Practices for Posting Condo Voting Results?

To ensure you disclose voting results properly, here are five considerations to remember:

1. Privacy Protection Policies

Implement clear and well-defined policies that strike a balance between transparency and residents' privacy. Specify how voting results will be shared and ensure that each individual’s vote remains confidential. 

This could involve aggregating results to show overall outcomes without revealing how individual members voted.

2. Timely Disclosure

Condo associations should commit to disclosing voting results within a reasonable timeframe after the voting occurs. This keeps voters engaged and makes them an active part of the decision-making process.

Most associations choose to disclose the voting results within a week and keep the results available to the public for up to thirty days.

3. Clear Communication Channels

Establish clear means for sharing voting results. These may include the association's website, newsletters, email updates, or physical notice boards. We recommend providing multiple ways for residents to access this information so you can reach a wider audience.

4. Contextual Information

Along with voting results, provide context for residents so they can understand the significance of the decisions being made. Explain how these decisions impact the community and why they were necessary. 

5. Feedback Mechanisms

Set up a feedback mechanism that allows residents to express concerns or questions regarding voting results. This will help you quickly address any misunderstandings or disputes.

ElectionBuddy Is Your Best Resource

ElectionBuddy knows elections inside and out, and can help address any concerns or questions you may have about the elections being held by your condo association.  This platform has helped some of the most respected organizations from countries around the world and has supported elections that have involved more than 100,000 voters. 

To learn more about condo voting, check out our posts on whether investors can vote in condo elections and if a condo board can vote via email!