ElectionChamp
California HOA Elections Online: A Davis-Stirling Guide
Since January 1, 2025 (AB 2159), California associations can elect directors and amend their governing documents by electronic secret ballot. Here's what the Davis-Stirling Act requires, what ElectionChamp does for you, and what your board and inspector of elections still do, step by step.
Allowed Since 2025
Once your election rules allow it, directors and governing-document votes can use electronic secret ballots. Assessment votes stay on paper.
30-Day Timelines
Members get their electronic ballot notice, and a way to check their device, at least 30 days before the voting deadline.
Secret by Design
ElectionChamp stores each ballot with no voter ID, timestamp or submission order.
Paper Stays an Option
Members can choose a paper ballot, and anyone without an email gets one. Your inspector counts both.
What Davis-Stirling Requires, and Who Does It
Each requirement, what ElectionChamp does for it, and what your organization does. Citations link to the sources at the end of the page.
| The requirement | ElectionChamp | You |
|---|---|---|
| An election operating rule allowing electronic secret ballots. Election rules can't be amended in the 90 days before an election.Civil Code §5105(i), §5105(h)(4) | Nothing to set: this is your association's rule. | Adopt or amend the rule, following the operating-rule procedure, at least 90 days before the election. |
| Members can switch between electronic and paper ballots up to 90 days before the election, and the association keeps a list of each member's method.Civil Code §5105(i)(1)(A)–(D), §5105(i)(4) | Runs the electronic ballot for the members on your voter list. | Keep the paper and electronic lists, send each member notice of their method at least 30 days before the opt-out deadline, and upload only electronic voters. |
| A valid email address for every electronic voter; a paper ballot for any member without one.Civil Code §5105(i)(1)(E), §5105(i)(7) | Emails each voter their own ballot link (SMS too, if you choose), shows delivery status, and lets you resend. | Collect emails, and mail paper ballots to everyone else. |
| Individual notice of the electronic ballot at least 30 days before the election, explaining how to reach the voting system and how to vote.Civil Code §5105(i)(3) | Emails every voter an invitation with their secure link when voting opens. You write the invitation text. | Open voting at least 30 days before the voting deadline so invitations go out in time, and explain how to vote in the invitation. |
| A way for each member to confirm, at least 30 days before the voting deadline, that their device can reach the voting system.Civil Code §5110(c)(4)(A)(iii) | Voters can open their ballot from their link at any time while voting is open, without voting. It works in any modern browser, with no app. | With voting open 30+ days before the deadline, ask members to open their link to check their device. Or run a short test election first. |
| Authenticate each member's identity to the voting system.Civil Code §5110(c)(4)(A)(i), (B)(i) | A unique, single-use 16-character key for each voter, built into their link. | Keep your voter list accurate. |
| Transmit each ballot securely, and detect any change to it in transit.Civil Code §5110(c)(4)(A)(ii), (B)(ii) | Every connection is encrypted with TLS 1.2+, and a submitted ballot can't be changed. | Nothing. |
| A receipt for every member who votes electronically.Civil Code §5110(c)(4)(B)(iii) | A confirmation page with the voter's key and the time their ballot was recorded, which they can print or save. | Nothing. |
| Permanently separate identifying information from each ballot, so no ballot can be connected to a member.Civil Code §5110(c)(4)(B)(iv) | Secret ballots: each ballot is stored with no voter ID, timestamp or submission order (every election launched since October 11, 2026). | Nothing. |
| Keep electronic ballots accessible for recount, inspection and review; custody with the inspector until the one-year challenge period ends.Civil Code §5110(c)(4)(B)(v), §5125, §5145 | Keeps every election for 5 years. After voting closes you can download the results, each question's per-ballot file and the audit trail. | Have your inspector designate ElectionChamp as where the electronic ballots are kept, and keep your own copies. |
| Voting power per membership, as your governing documents set it.Civil Code §5105(a)(4), §5110(c)(1) | Weighted Ballots: a whole-number weight for each voter. | Turn on Weighted Ballots and enter weights only if voting power differs between members. |
| Cumulative voting, when your governing documents provide for it.Civil Code §5115(e) | Cumulative questions: each voter has one vote per seat and can give them all to one candidate or spread them. With Weighted Ballots, each vote counts the voter's weight. | Choose "Cumulative" for the board question if your documents provide for it. |
| No one reviews the tally of electronic ballots before the counting meeting, and votes are counted in public at an open meeting that any member or candidate can witness.Civil Code §5120(a), §5120(c) | Result Visibility "No One" hides results from everyone until voting closes. Read-only observer links let candidates follow turnout and the audit trail. | Choose "No One", schedule the counting meeting for after voting closes, and have the inspector open the results there and add the paper ballots. |
| Results reported to the board, recorded in the minutes, and announced to members by general notice within 15 days.Civil Code §5120(b) | "Send Election Results" emails every voter a link to the results. | Record the results in the minutes and give general notice within 15 days. |
| The ballot carries the web address of the election rules after the words "The rules governing this election may be found here:" in 12-point type or larger.Civil Code §5105(h)(4)(B)(i) | A question's Voter Instructions appear on the ballot in 16-pixel (12-point) type. | Put that phrase and the link in the first question's Voter Instructions. |
| No nominations from the floor in an election held by electronic secret ballot.Civil Code §5105(i)(1)(F) | The candidate list can't change once the election launches. | Close nominations before you launch. |
| Votes on regular or special assessments can't use electronic secret ballots.Civil Code §5105(i) | Nothing to set. | Hold assessment votes by paper ballot. |
| An electronic vote can't be revoked once it's transmitted.Civil Code §5105(i)(5)–(6), §5120(a) | A submitted ballot can't be changed or withdrawn, and each key works once. | Nothing. |
| For quorum, each member who votes electronically counts as present.Civil Code §5105(i)(8), §5115(d) | The dashboard shows turnout as votes come in. | Add the paper ballots received to reach your quorum count. |
| One or three independent inspectors of elections run the election.Civil Code §5110(a)–(b) | The inspector can run the election from their own ElectionChamp account, or follow it through a read-only observer link. | Choose your inspector or inspectors as your election rules say. |
Set Up Your Election Like This
The settings that matter for Davis-Stirling, step by step through the setup wizard.
A voting window of at least 30 days, ending at your voting deadline, in your association's time zone.
Result Visibility: No One. Weighted Ballots on only if voting power differs between members.
Cumulative for the board if your documents provide for it. In the first question's Voter Instructions: "The rules governing this election may be found here:" and the link.
Only the members voting electronically, each with an email address, and their weights if you use them.
An email invitation that explains how to vote, and asks members to open their link early to check their device. SMS is optional.
Observer links for candidates (and your inspector). Leave the Results tab closed until the counting meeting.
Your Election, Step by Step
-
1
90+ days before the election
Adopt the rule and set the paper deadline
Adopt or confirm the election rule allowing electronic secret ballots. Tell each member their current voting method and the deadline to switch to paper, at least 30 days before that deadline.
-
2
Nomination period
Collect nominations
Give general notice of the nomination procedure and deadline at least 30 days before the deadline, then close nominations. There are no floor nominations in an electronic election.
-
3
30+ days before ballots go out
Give general notice of the election
Include the deadline for electronic ballots, preliminary voting instructions, the counting meeting, and the list of candidates.
-
4
Before launch
Build the election in ElectionChamp
Use the settings above: a 30+ day voting window, No One results, Cumulative if your documents provide for it, the rules link in the Voter Instructions, and only electronic voters on the list.
-
5
30+ days before the voting deadline
Open voting
Invitations go to every electronic voter with their secure link, and members can open it to check their device. Mail paper ballots, with two envelopes, to everyone else.
-
6
While voting is open
Follow turnout
Watch turnout on the dashboard, send reminders, and resend lost links. Candidates follow along through their observer links.
-
7
At the counting meeting
Count in public
The inspector opens the electronic results in front of members, counts the paper ballots, and announces the combined tally.
-
8
Within 15 days
Announce and keep the records
Record the results in the minutes, give general notice to members, and send voters the results link. Download the results, per-ballot files and audit trail, and keep them at least a year.
Davis-Stirling Questions
Mostly. Members can choose a paper ballot up to 90 days before the election, and any member without an email address gets one, so plan for some paper ballots. ElectionChamp runs the electronic side, and your inspector counts the paper ballots with the electronic results.
No. Under Civil Code §5105(i), votes on regular and special assessments can't use electronic secret ballots. Hold them on paper.
An independent third party, such as a volunteer poll worker with the county registrar, a licensed accountant, a notary, or a member who isn't a director, a candidate, or related to one (Civil Code §5110(b)). ElectionChamp provides the voting system; it isn't your inspector.
California doesn't certify voting vendors. The law lists what the voting system must do, in Civil Code §5110(c)(4), and your inspector ensures the election complies. The table above shows how ElectionChamp meets each requirement.
Open voting at least 30 days before the deadline. Members can open their ballot from their link right away to check that it loads on their phone or computer, and come back later to vote. If you'd rather check before voting opens, run a short test election with them.
Only if your governing documents provide for it. ElectionChamp supports cumulative questions, where each voter has one vote per seat to give to one candidate or spread among several.
After submitting, the voter sees a confirmation page with their voting key and the time their ballot was recorded. They can print it or save a screenshot. It never shows how they voted.
Sources
- California Civil Code §5105 (election rules, electronic secret ballots)
- California Civil Code §5110 (inspector of elections, voting system requirements)
- California Civil Code §5115 (notices, ballots, quorum, cumulative voting)
- California Civil Code §5120 (counting and results)
- California Civil Code §5125 (custody of ballots and recounts)
- California Civil Code §5145 (election challenges)
- AB 2159 (2024), electronic secret ballots in common interest developments
This guide explains how ElectionChamp supports an election under California's Davis-Stirling Act (Civil Code §§5100–5145), as amended by AB 2159, effective January 1, 2025. It isn't legal advice: your governing documents, your election rules and your inspector of elections decide how your election runs, and your association's attorney can advise on your situation. Last checked against the law in October 2026.
Run Your Election Like a Champ
Free for up to 20 voters. Every feature included, no credit card required.
Questions? support@electionchamp.com