Frequently asked questions
Questions about California HOA election law
Is electronic voting legal for California HOAs?
Yes. Since January 1, 2025, an association may adopt an election operating rule allowing electronic secret ballots — no CC&R amendment required (Civil Code § 5105(i)). See how electronic voting works.
Can electronic voting be used for assessment votes?
No. Assessment elections require a secret written ballot and cannot run electronically (§ 5100(a)(1), § 5105(i)). BallotLink does not block this, so applying the rule is the association’s responsibility.
Who can serve as Inspector of Elections?
Not a director, a candidate, or their relative; not an association employee; and not anyone under contract to the association for other compensable services (§ 5110(b)).
What happens if an election is challenged?
A member has one year from the results notice. If procedures were not followed, a court voids the results unless the association proves the failure did not change the outcome (§ 5145).
Questions about how BallotLink works
What happens if quorum isn’t met?
The association can extend the voting window 20 to 30 days rather than restarting the election — California sets a 20-day floor for a reconvened meeting (§ 5115(d)(2)).
Can members still vote on paper?
Yes. Electronic and paper ballots run in one election. Mailed ballots go to members who choose paper, and the same inspector certifies the combined result. See how an election runs.
Do write-in candidates work?
Yes, when the association enables them — off by default, one write-in slot per ballot, resolved by the inspector. Bylaws or election rules govern whether write-ins are allowed (§ 5105(g)).
How is the secret ballot kept secret?
A member’s identity is verified when they vote, and vote choices are stored separately from voter identity. During review, an inspector sees a ballot key — never a name. See how the secret ballot is kept secret.
Questions about pricing
How much does BallotLink cost?
Pricing is quoted per organization. Use Request Access and the team follows up with pricing for the organization’s size and setup.
Questions about security and records
Can a Management Company see results early?
No. No running vote totals exist anywhere until the inspector finalizes, and Management Companies are blocked from every inspector function in the system (§ 5110(b), § 5120(c)).
Do voters get a receipt?
Yes. A member who votes electronically receives an emailed receipt confirming their ballot was received, along with an on-screen confirmation (§ 5110(c)(4)).
How long are election records kept?
California requires election materials be retained for at least one year (§ 5200(c)). BallotLink keeps election records for that one-year period; keeping records longer than that is the association’s responsibility.