Improper Vote in HOA
On January 17, 2026, during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Diablo Grande Homeowners Association (HOA), an allegedly improper and illegal vote occurred regarding the scheduling of future HOA meetings.
Board Member Don Williams proposed that members vote on whether meetings should be held on weekdays or weekends.
Audience members present in person were permitted to participate in the vote. However, members attending via Zoom were not allowed or given a chance to vote, and no roll call or equivalent procedure was used to include or verify remote participation.
According to provisions referenced from the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (California Civil Code §§ 4000 et seq., commonly applied as a model for HOA governance and fair procedures in many states), membership meetings must ensure equitable participation for all members.
Key concerns include:
Failure to allow remote (Zoom) members to vote, potentially violating principles of equal voting rights and open participation.
Lack of a proper roll call or verified inclusion method for remote attendees, which can invalidate actions taken if the vote excludes a portion of eligible members.
These procedural issues render the vote potentially null and void, as it did not comply with standards for fair and inclusive decision-making in HOA matters. The Davis-Stirling Act emphasizes transparency, member access, and proper voting protocols to protect homeowner rights—principles that apply broadly to ensure no member is disenfranchised based on attendance method.
Affected members and residents are encouraged to review the meeting minutes (once available), consult the association's bylaws and governing documents, and consider raising the issue formally with the board. If the vote was intended to amend meeting schedules or related rules, it may require re-consideration or a new, properly conducted vote.
