Since the Florida Legislature created the 2018 statute 720.317 that allows associations to conduct elections and other membership votes through an internet-based online voting system we feel this is a positive for Sugarhill. Our association Attorney has worked with many area homeowners assosciation and he agrees this is the best direction for Sugarhill. After the 2019 billing process we received a big majority of people consenting to vote electronically. Consenting to this process is not an all or nothing for our elections. Persons who did not consent to vote electronically we'll get paper ballots as in the past. Take note of the statute's requirements. Here are the reasons of eVoting:
Electronic voting has proven to virtually eliminate the issue of an eligible voting quorum being present at a meeting. (In Sugarhill a quorum present for voting is 50%+1 majority)
Since the situation of a large number of voters being present electronically (having already voted electronically), the concept of majority rule and representation becomes much better. Something this Board strongly believes in.
The requirements of the statute means that the online provider of the balloting has to, by law, meet all of those statute requirements. See our choice for the online provider of the balloting system below in the next section.
We also believe that this process will come very close to eliminating the dubious possibilities of proxy issues. We feel the proxy system potentially has room for deception. A well established e-voting system in Sugarhill will make the need for proxy very minimal and once again a much safer democracy.
electionbuddy.com, our election software, will double as the process for polling (surveying) the community. Because the polling option for the system is not an actual binding legal vote but rather an opinion poll it will not need to be restricted to voting consent meaning invitations can be sent by email to all homeowners as was done with survey monkey. Each lot will need to have a unique email address for the survey invitations.
All About electionbuddy.com
The Legally Approved Software that Runs the Elections, Polling, and other Community Voting Needs
Florida 2018 Statute 720.317 Electronic Voting allows POA homeowners to vote electronically. "The association may conduct elections and other membership votes through an Internet-based online voting system if a member consents, in writing, to online voting".
For this process to be legal, secure, accurate, and protective of your privacy and your vote it must process through an organization that meets all the state requirements for online electronic voting. We have diligently examined many options and find ElectionBuddy Inc as our top choice.
The Association's HOA Board Certified attorney has numerous association clients using electronic voting. His position on this process is very enthusiastic. His clients using eVoting have dramatically improved their voting and surveying systems and ultimately their association's democracy.
The stringent adherence to Statute 720.317 requirements that election buddy will use for every election or survey will completely eliminate inaccuracies or irregularities and will keep a very accurate record of the election outcome.
We have communicated with electionbuddy.com regarding their compliance with Florida Statutes, here is their response.
The benefits for Sugarhill are substantial. The cost of an electronic election or other association voting is $15, just renting the meeting room is $50. A good example is the recent loss of a member of our board to illness. Our bylaws force us to a "special meeting to vote in a replacement or wait until next year's annual meeting." A special meeting, for example, in the summer with snowbirds gone and people taking vacations, may not meet quorum requirements. Electronic voting would solve this problem and allow everyone to vote no matter where they are and it would save $50 on the hall rental (only to find out we didn't have a quorum).
The first step in this process has been to have your approval to vote electronically. This is an important step towards better democracy in Sugarhill. We want to thank the 70% of Homeowners who signed the Consent to Electronic Voting. Our attorney told us we had the highest percentage of eVoters of all his HOA clients. That says a-lot about the quality of people we have living in Sugarhill from a standpoint of technical awareness.
So this is a very old expression. Dates back to the 1500s. It's literal meaning refers to how flies will get stuck in honey and stay away from you (a good thing).
The human relationship meaning refers to how you treat people. Treat them with sweetness (kindness, compassion, consideration) and you don't have as many problems (flies bothering you). Treat them nasty (vinegar) and your problems will never go away.
We believe in this motto and try to live by it.
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Here is what electionbuddy.com told us in a recent correspondence
Specifically for Florida, suffice it to say that the specifics of the statutes as they relate to electronic voting are 718.128 for Condominiums and 720.317 for HOA's. The highlights of these are addressed by the following:
We authenticate with 2 factor authentication, and unique keys to ensure the member is who they say they are.
For communication, we have been told that because of the ability to be on the internet, and the multi-channel capabilities of mobile browser, text message, email, postcard with QR code, email, internet, we comply with the communication statute.
We use 256 KB SSL to maintain a secure connection (to ensure the vote is authentic and not altered in transit).
We issue voting receipts (both email and downloadable).
We separate the voters choices from whether the voter voted, such that ballots are not tied to the unit holder.
Our vote by vote report allows the process to be recounted and ensures the election process is observable. And you have access to these results on an ongoing basis.
We can distribute notice both electronically and in print to support the notice requirements.
