Is Your HOA Ready for Electronic Voting? Simply Voting is Here to Help
As of January 1, 2025, California HOAs can legally implement electronic voting for most secret ballot elections. This change, driven by Assembly Bill 2159 (AB 2159), requires HOAs to update their Election Rules and adopt new record-keeping practices, such as maintaining lists of electronic and paper ballot voters.
With Simply Voting, your HOA can easily comply with AB 2159 and the Davis-Stirling Act. Simply Voting ensures compliance with secure, verifiable electronic ballots, user-friendly interfaces, and seamless record management, addressing essential requirements for Inspectors of Elections.
Key Features:
PRE-ELECTION
- Easy Opt-In and Opt-Out Options
Simply Voting’s platform supports flexibility, allowing the inspector of election to upload voters who opted in to electronic voting with ease, as mandated by AB 2159. - Secure Record Management
AB 2159 necessitates keeping organized records, especially with email addresses of members voting electronically. Simply Voting ensures secure and compliant record management, simplifying the process for HOAs and aiding Inspectors of Elections in verifying and maintaining election integrity. - Seamless Communication
Once candidates are known election notices can be sent to voters in advance of voting, and as well as at the start of voting and periodic reminders to voters who haven’t yet voted. The platform’s customizable notifications keep members informed of election details, deadlines, and voting instructions, ensuring clear communication and boosting engagement. - Hybrid Services: Simply Voting is compatible with hybrid events. It can be a hybrid mix of electronic, paper voting, prior to a meeting or during a meeting, candidate votes or motion votes.
- Device Communication Confirmation: we provide a sample test ballot portal at least 30 days before voting, allowing voters to test their devices with the voting system.
- User-Friendly and Accessible Design: AB-2159 requires that electronic voting systems be accessible to all HOA members, regardless of technical proficiency. Simply Voting’s intuitive interface is designed with ease of use in mind, helping to increase member engagement and participation. The platform’s accessibility ensures that all eligible members can cast their votes with ease, in compliance with the new law.
DURING THE ELECTION
- Member Authentication: Simply Voting provides secure identity authentication methods for online voting. Voting passwords are generated for each eligible voter and distributed by email. Or, Simply Voting integrates with your existing authentication method for a single-sign-on solution.
- Secure Ballot Transmission: Transmits electronic ballots securely to maintain integrity during transit.
- Compliance with Quorum Flexibility Under AB-1458
With AB-1458’s reduced quorum allowances, Simply Voting can assist HOAs in managing and meeting updated quorum requirements for rescheduled meetings, ensuring elections remain valid and compliant with the latest California regulations.
POST-ELECTION
- Secure Storage: Maintains access to electronic ballots for authorized election officials for recounts and audits.
- Transparent and Auditable Results: Transparency is a cornerstone of AB-2159. Simply Voting offers a comprehensive audit trail and detailed verification processes, which allow HOAs to review and verify results post-election. This auditability enhances the integrity of the election and ensures that results are both accurate and trustworthy, meeting the law’s transparency requirements.
Other features required:
- Write-in Candidates: Supports write-in options.
- Weighted and Cumulative Voting: Allows cumulative voting in line with governing documents, maintaining secret ballot procedures.
- True Anonymity: Permanently separates identifying information from ballots, ensuring anonymity and compliance with audit requirements.
- All votes are final cannot be revoked.
These features not only align with regulatory requirements but also promote transparency, security, and member trust in the voting process.
With Simply Voting, California HOAs and Inspector of Elections can confidently adopt electronic voting, meeting all new legal requirements while providing a secure, transparent voting experience. Stay compliant with AB 2159 and provide your HOA members with a streamlined, trustworthy voting process.