In 2024, one of the clearest trends observed by VotingPRO was growing concerns about manual voting, as more associations questioned the reliability of paper-based elections. While many still prefer traditional voting methods, there is a noticeable shift toward more secure, efficient, and transparent digital solutions.
However, the conversation isn’t about paper vs. online voting—it’s about how both methods can work together to ensure elections are fair, accurate, and efficient.
Concerns About Manual Voting: Is a Trust-Based System Still Enough?
During this election cycle, VotingPRO representatives attended several in-person HOA and Condo elections, observing first-hand how manual votes were processed. Some of the most notable concerns included:
– Lack of identity verification – Previously, ID checks were required, but now, ballots are often accepted without confirming the voter’s identity. The only validation is a signature, which may not always be reliable.
– Time-consuming validation – Each manual vote required checking lists, certificates, and signatures before being considered valid. This led to delays and, in some cases, confusion over whether a vote should be counted.
– Duplicate voting risks – In some communities, if a voter submitted both an online and paper ballot, only the paper vote counted. This raises questions about how to prevent duplicate votes and maintain integrity in elections.
– High reliance on witnesses – Election officials relied heavily on testimonies and stamps to validate votes, making the process less structured and more prone to human error.
According to the Community Associations Institute (CAI), achieving quorum and ensuring vote integrity are critical challenges in HOA and condo elections, especially when relying on manual voting methods.
Online Voting: A More Secure & Transparent Alternative
While many communities still trust manual elections, there is increasing recognition that online voting offers greater security, efficiency, and transparency.
– Automatic identity verification – Unlike paper ballots, online platforms can include biometric authentication, unique voter links, and digital signatures, ensuring that each vote is legitimate.
– Instant validation & counting – Digital ballots eliminate human error by automatically cross-checking voter information, removing duplicates, and calculating results instantly.
– Managing manual and online votes together – Online platforms can also integrate manual votes, allowing administrators to input paper ballots into a centralized system that automatically tallies results. This not only speeds up the process but also enhances transparency.
Addressing Concerns About Manual Voting in Future HOA and Condo Elections
Despite the clear advantages of online voting, manual voting is still deeply embedded in HOA communities. However, technology isn’t here to replace traditional methods—it’s here to enhance them.
The most effective solution isn’t choosing between paper or digital; it’s about using both strategically. An election system that integrates both manual and online voting allows communities to:
– Process manual votes more efficiently by integrating them into a digital platform.
– Reduce errors and delaysthrough automated validation.
– Ensure security and transparency with trackable, tamper-proof results.
We explored additional strategies to ensure secure elections in our post on voting reminders and participation.
Conclusion: A New Era of Trust in Elections
These concerns in manual voting reflect a broader shift toward modernizing HOA and condo election systems with more secure and efficient alternatives.
The insights from VotingPRO’s 2024 election experience indicate that while paper voting is still widely used, trust in its reliability is declining. Online and digital election models offer a way forward—ensuring security, efficiency, and voter confidence.
As these concerns about manual voting continue to rise, HOAs and Condos must look to balanced, online election systems that build trust while embracing innovation.