Board approves electronic voting

(June 27, 2022) The Ocean Pines Association Board on Monday approved a motion to allow for electronic voting for annual elections, and for referendums.
 
Association President Colette Horn said the amendment to Resolution M-06, which governs Ocean Pines elections, was reviewed by Ocean Pines' attorney and the Elections Committee, who was assisted by the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.
 
“The passage of this motion means we will be going to a new system of voting, starting with the Board election this year,” Horn said. “The Board appreciates the thorough review by the Elections Committee, which allowed us to make this change. We believe this will be a benefit for Ocean Pines homeowners.”
 
Elections Committee Chairperson Carol Ludwig said the committee had recommended electronic voting as far back as 2020. This year, she said voters would have the option to return a paper ballot, or to vote online.
 
“The Elections Committee is pleased that the OPA Board of Directors has accepted their recommendation to include the option of electronic transmission of ballots for the 2022 Board of Directors election,” she said. “Along with the announcement of the annual meeting, eligible property owners will receive the bio insert for the six candidates and a paper ballot/and return envelope, as well as individual random codes to access the online provider’s website.
 
“Instructions for completing paper or online transmission will be included,” Ludwig continued. “Members who have provided their email to the OPA assessment database will also receive emailed information from the online contractor (Vote HOA Now). Links to instruction videos and voting website will be available at oceanpines.org.”
 
The candidates for the 2022 Board election, in ballot order, are Paula Gray, Amy Peck, Stuart Lakernick, Monica Rakowsk, Josette Wheatley and Steve Jacobs. The candidates are vying to fill three vacant positions on the Ocean Pines Board of Directors.
 
The Board is the governing body of the Association.
 
Elections materials are scheduled to be mailed to all eligible voters no later than the week of July 12 and only one option (either paper OR electronic transmission) can be used to vote.
 
Voters are asked to follow all instructions included in the mailing and to vote for no more than three candidates. Any paper ballot marked for more than three candidates or that include any writing will not be counted. The online voting website will not accept more than three candidate choices.
 
Paper ballots may be returned either to the ballot box inside the lobby of the Ocean Pines Police Department on 239 Ocean Parkway or mailed to the Ocean Pines post office box in Berlin. Paper ballots must be sealed and returned in the envelope provided in the mailing. Return envelopes with any information blacked out, or covered with any type of label, will not be opened or counted.
 
Online voting will be accessible until the deadline date and time.
 
Key dates in the election process include:
 

• Cutoff date for voter eligibility - Wednesday, July 6 
• Ballots mailed - Week of July 12 
• Ballot Deadline - Wednesday, Aug. 10 by 4 p.m. 
• Ballots counted and vote totals announced - Thursday, Aug. 11 starting at 10 a.m. in the Clubhouse Meeting Room 
• Annual Meeting - Saturday, Aug. 13. Time and Venue TBD 

For questions about the election, email [email protected] or call 410-208-3989.