California HOA Election Notice Timeline
Every California HOA election runs backward from the annual meeting date. Fix the meeting first, then work back through ballot distribution, the pre-ballot notice and the nomination window. The stages below show where each notice belongs and which statutes to review when setting the schedule.
Calculate Your Election Timeline- 1
Candidate Nominations
The association opens nominations and invites eligible members to run for the open board seats.
General timing: Earliest stage of the cycle, months before the annual meeting.
California Civil Code §5100
Secret ballot elections
Establishes which association actions must be conducted by secret ballot, including elections for board directors, and requires associations to adopt election rules.
California Civil Code §5105
Election rules and candidate qualifications
Addresses the content of an association's election rules, including nomination procedures, candidate qualifications, disqualification standards and access to media and common areas.
- 2
Nomination Procedures
Members receive the procedural rules: qualification standards, submission methods and candidate statement rules.
General timing: At or shortly after nominations open, before the deadline closes.
California Civil Code §5105
Election rules and candidate qualifications
Addresses the content of an association's election rules, including nomination procedures, candidate qualifications, disqualification standards and access to media and common areas.
California Civil Code §5103
Election by acclamation
Describes the conditions under which an association may seat candidates without a ballot when the number of qualified candidates does not exceed the number of open seats.
- 3
Pre-Ballot Notice
Advance general notice of the counting meeting, the ballot schedule and the inspector of elections.
General timing: Before ballots are distributed.
California Civil Code §5115
Election notices and ballot procedures
Addresses pre-ballot notice content, the general notice sent before ballots are distributed, ballot distribution timing and the notice of the meeting at which ballots are counted.
- 4
Ballot / Meeting Notice
The annual meeting notice and secret ballot package are distributed with voting instructions and the return deadline.
General timing: In advance of the annual meeting, allowing realistic mailing time.
California Civil Code §5115
Election notices and ballot procedures
Addresses pre-ballot notice content, the general notice sent before ballots are distributed, ballot distribution timing and the notice of the meeting at which ballots are counted.
California Civil Code §5110
Inspector of elections
Covers appointment of one or three inspectors of elections, who may serve, and the duties of the inspector in administering the vote and tabulating ballots.
- 5
Election
Ballots are returned and counted by the inspector of elections at an open meeting members may observe.
General timing: The annual meeting date.
California Civil Code §5120
Ballot counting and tabulation
Addresses the counting of ballots at a properly noticed open meeting, member observation of the tabulation and custody of ballots after the count.
California Civil Code §5110
Inspector of elections
Covers appointment of one or three inspectors of elections, who may serve, and the duties of the inspector in administering the vote and tabulating ballots.
- 6
Election Results
Tabulated results are reported to the membership and election materials are retained as association records.
General timing: Promptly after tabulation.
California Civil Code §5120
Ballot counting and tabulation
Addresses the counting of ballots at a properly noticed open meeting, member observation of the tabulation and custody of ballots after the count.
California Civil Code §5125
Election materials as association records
Provides that ballots, signed voter envelopes, voter lists, proxies and candidate registration lists are association records subject to retention requirements.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026
Need an Inspector of Elections?
HOA Elections administers California HOA elections end to end, including scheduling, notices, ballot handling and tabulation.
Have Professionals Manage Your ElectionElectionNotices.com provides general educational information regarding HOA elections and election notices. The information provided is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with qualified legal counsel. Election requirements may vary based on applicable law, an association's governing documents, election rules and individual circumstances.