Membership Vote – Easier to Understand
Hi Folks,I received a request from a homeowner to send this out for those of you who found my newsletter difficult to understand. He had CHAT GBT, which is a computer generated program, help with this format. I have no problem with this format and hope it helps.Warm regards,Nancy J. PerryPresidentBLMAUpcoming Vote – May 12, 2025
We will be holding a Membership Vote on May 12, 2025 to address one critical issue:
- Proposal: Change the requirement for passing amendments to our governing documents from a 40% of all homeowners threshold to a simple majority of votes cast.
This single-topic vote was unanimously supported in a recent meeting with all Sub-Association (Condo) Presidents.
Why This Change Is Important
Currently, it takes 656 “yes” votes to amend any of our documents, regardless of how many people actually vote. This creates serious challenges:
- Condo owners often do not vote on issues they feel apply only to single-family homes.
- However, condo units far outnumber single-family homes, making their non-participation a barrier to change.
- This results in deadlocked elections, where nothing can pass, even when supported by a clear majority of active voters.
Voting Access and Participation
We’ve made every effort to ensure that every homeowner has access to vote:
- E-Voting is now available for 1,400+ homeowners who have signed up.
- Our office staff has verified mailing addresses for those not enrolled in e-voting, so everyone will receive a ballot.
- The only reason not to vote now is personal choice — and we urge you not to sit out this important vote.
Common Misunderstandings About Voting
There is confusion about what constitutes a valid election or amendment:
- Some believe that a simple majority always rules — this is not true under our current rules.
- Our documents currently require:
- 40% of all homeowners (656 votes) to approve amendments.
- At least 247 total votes for any election to be considered valid at all.
This means even if a majority supports a change, it cannot pass unless we meet the 656-vote threshold — which has become nearly impossible under current conditions.
Compliance with Florida Statutes
If we do not change our voting requirements:
- Our Covenants, By-Laws, and Articles of Incorporation will remain out of compliance with current Florida law.
- Continued votes under the outdated rule may be legally invalid, making them a waste of time and money.
- This non-compliance also creates complications when selling homes, as buyers are often confused or concernedby the outdated and conflicting documents.
What You’ll Receive
You’ll be receiving a ballot package soon. It will include 3 questions, one for each governing document:
- Covenants
- Bylaws
- Articles of Incorporation
All 3 must be updated to reflect the same majority rule.
Final Note
Please take a moment to participate in this vote. It’s vital for the future health and governance of our community.
Thank you for your support.
Warm regards,
Nancy J. Perry
President, BLMA
