Maryland HOAs Act Regarding Online Voting

Starting October 1, 2025, a major update to Maryland’s HOA and condo laws will take effect. Maryland’s House Bill 1534 takes direct aim at one of the most sensitive aspects of condominium and homeowners association (HOA) governance: elections.  

What Maryland HOA Boards Should Know About the New Law

Under HB 1534, elections for the governing body (board of directors, officers, etc.) must be overseen by an independent party. This is a major change: it prevents candidates, current board members, or management companies from controlling the process.

The law specifies that the “independent party” may include:

  • A third-party vendor or technology provider hired by the association to conduct the election.
  • Another unit or lot owner who is not campaigning for any candidate, does not have a conflict of interest, and is not objected to by more than 25% of eligible voters.

Importantly, representatives of the condominium’s or HOA’s property management are not considered independent parties. The governing body may retain a third-party vendor or a commercial technology online voting platform to conduct an election. 

Is Your HOA Election System Compliant?

To legally hold online HOA elections in Maryland, associations must use a platform that meets the following requirements:

  • Verifiable voter identity
  • Third-party administration
  • Anonymity when required
  • Audit-friendly election results

This bill introduces new safeguards designed to ensure credibility, independence, and owner confidence in the process. Simply Voting fully meets these requirements, offering secure, anonymous, and independently managed elections for HOAs and condo associations.

Why Switch to Online Voting for Your Maryland HOA?

Online voting system offers several advantages:

  • Faster election processes
  • Higher participation from homeowners
  • Improved election security and transparency
  • Cost savings vs. paper ballots and manual administration

How Simply Voting Can Help

One of the strongest ways to comply with HB 1534’s new election rules is to bring in a trusted, independent third party. At Simply Voting, HOA or condo association elections can be overseen by a dedicated project manager who guides the process from start to finish.

That means:

  • Personalized support: Your project manager understands your community’s bylaws and tailors the election setup to fit your rules.
  • Neutral oversight: Because Simply Voting is independent, you avoid conflicts of interest and ensure fairness.
  • Professional execution: From setting up ballots to distributing credentials to monitoring results, your project manager handles the details.
  • Transparency & trust: Owners know the process is secure, impartial, and verifiable.

This hands-on support gives associations peace of mind that their elections not only comply with the new law but also run smoothly and credibly.

Start Running Secure HOA Elections in Maryland

Ready to make your next election fair, transparent, and stress-free? Contact Simply Voting today to learn how our dedicated project managers can help your community comply with Maryland’s new law and run smoother elections.

CAI Educated Business Partner, Strengthening Simply Voting’s Expertise

Simply Voting is proud to celebrate a milestone as Adrienne Hardy, our Elections Director, has been certified CAI Educated Business Partner (EBP) distinction by the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

The CAI’s Educated Business Partner certificate is a notable achievement within the community association industry. It is awarded to professionals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the operations, governance, and best practices essential for supporting community associations effectively. Achieving this designation requires specialized training and a dedication to staying informed about the latest industry trends, laws, and practices.

For instance, with Simply Voting, your HOA in California can easily comply with the Davis-Stirling Act and the Assembly Bill 2159 (AB 2159). Simply Voting ensures compliance with secure, verifiable electronic ballots, user-friendly interfaces, and seamless record management, addressing essential requirements for Inspectors of Elections.

Simply Voting is also proud to be recognized as a CAI Business Partner. This membership reflects our commitment to supporting community associations with the highest level of professionalism and expertise. As a CAI Business Partner, we stay actively engaged with industry developments and collaborate closely with association professionals to deliver tailored election solutions that meet their specific needs.

CAI Business Partner Logo

At Simply Voting, we are committed to delivering innovative and reliable election solutions to a wide range of clients, including HOAs, property management companies, community associations or Inspectors of Elections. We understand that our clients’ success relies on our ability to provide not only cutting-edge technology but also the expertise and industry knowledge necessary to navigate complex scenarios. Adrienne’s recognition strengthens our reputation as a trusted partner for HOAs.

Simply Voting looks forward to building on this milestone and continuing to provide election solutions that empower community associations and other organizations.

CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION

California HOA Election Rules: How Simply Voting Ensures Compliance

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Secure Ballot Transmission: Transmits electronic ballots securely to maintain integrity during transit.
  3. 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

  1. Secure Storage: Maintains access to electronic ballots for authorized election officials for recounts and audits.
  2. 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.

CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION OR GET A QUOTE