Question:
I reside in an HOA, there was a Board vacancy and an quasi election process held by the Board itself in full view of homeowners attending that special meeting. In the end the vacancy could not be filled as the Board could not reach a majority for any of the 3 candidates. What now would be the remedy to fill the position on an obviously split-decision board as the HOA is still 9 months out from the annual membership meeting
– Pamela
Answer:
Hi Pamela,
If your HOA is incorporated as a nonprofit, it can follow the Idaho Nonprofit Corporation Act. Section 30-30-610 deals with board vacancies and states:
“(1) Unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, and except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, if a vacancy occurs on a board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors:
(a) The members, if any, may fill the vacancy. If the vacant office was held by a director elected by a class, chapter or other organizational unit or by region or other geographic grouping, only members of the class, chapter, unit or grouping are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the members;
(b) The board of directors may fill the vacancy; or
(c) If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office.
(2) Unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, if a vacant office was held by an appointed director, only the person who appointed the director may fill the vacancy.
(3) If a vacant office was held by a designated director, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in the articles or bylaws. In the absence of an applicable article or bylaw provision, the vacancy may not be filled by the board.
(4) A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date, by reason of a resignation effective at a later date under section 30-30-607(2), Idaho Code, or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.”
That being said, you should check your bylaws to see if there are any provisions in there about how to address vacancies on the HOA board.
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers. The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice.