How to Handle Tied Votes in HOA Elections

There are several ways a homeowners association (HOA) can manage a tie that occurs during an election (or during a vote on an essential issue). HOAs may decide to host a runoff or special election, the board could make the final tie-breaking call, or they could opt for something as simple as a coin toss (although this is not always a wise recommendation). 

Breaking a Tie

Election ties aren’t uncommon, so you may run into this issue at some point. However, your HOA should have a rule in the bylaws to deal with this situation. If they don’t, it may be time to consider adding new election rules for your HOA so the board and other members can refer to them for guidance should a tie happen again.

Here are some solutions to consider to remedy the situation when it happens:

• Coin toss: It’s as easy as it sounds. Let’s say two candidates receive the same number of votes, but only one can win. Assign each candidate heads or tails,  and flip a coin. If it lands with heads facing up, whoever has heads wins. If tails is facing up, the candidate who chose tails wins. It’s quick, impartial, and straightforward. 
• Runoff election: If you don’t want to rely on chance, holding a runoff or special election is a solid choice. This allows HOA members to focus on the tied candidates or issues and vote again to break the tie to identify a clear winner. 
• Board decision: In some cases, the HOA board may be allowed to decide the outcome of a tie through deliberation or by following a set procedure outlined in the association’s rules.

No matter which method you choose to break a tie, documenting and publishing HOA election results for homeowners is a critical step. Members should know how the decision was made, which could make addressing complaints during the HOA election process easier should any issues arise.

Why Having a Procedure Matters

A tie-breaking method explicitly outlined in your HOA’s bylaws can make all the difference in resolving election issues quickly, smoothly, and fairly. Without a straightforward procedure, tied votes can confuse your members, cause delays in issuing results, and possibly spark disputes among HOA candidates and members. 

You certainly don't want to appear biased or unorganized. Having bylaws to refer to in case of a tie keeps the process consistent and builds trust and transparency in the election; it also avoids the need for high-pressure, on-the-spot decision-making. Having detailed procedures ensures that issues don’t negatively impact the results.

Benefits of Having an Inspector of Elections

Trust and transparency are key to ensuring you host a fair and accurate election process. Having an inspector of elections to oversee the entire election impartially is essential to keeping the trust you built.

Election inspectors are in charge of:

• Receiving votes
• Counting ballots
• Resolving any challenges or issues that arise concerning members’ right to vote

If there is a tie, they can provide guidance or advice on proceeding. Inspectors ensure that your chosen solution is implemented fairly and documented to reduce the risk of election disputes. Their role is to provide all HOA members with the feeling that the process was handled professionally and that the outcome is legitimate.

Handling Ties with ElectionBuddy

Platforms like ElectionBuddy streamline the entire election process, from early communications to ballot-making and publishing results. When it comes to tied votes, ElectionBuddy makes it easy to create a runoff election. You can duplicate the election, edit a new ballot, and resend it to members. It's that simple.

ElectionBuddy is designed to simplify HOA elections. Its seamless process builds trust, ensures accuracy, and keeps your community confident in the final results!