QUESTION:
Less than sixty days before our annual meeting a group of homeowners
submitted a petition to recall the existing board. As required by statute,
the board gave notice of a special meeting. It will take place a month
after the annual meeting. Under the circumstances, what is the effect of
the petition?
ANSWER: In my opinion, the petition is voided by the intervening election.
Pre-Election.
Recall petitions submitted close to an annual meeting are ill-conceived. If a recall is held prior to the annual meeting and is
successful, the new directors only fill the remaining terms of the directors they replace. That means the new directors may be up for reelection within thirty days of the recall election--a significant source of confusion for the membership and a waste of money.
Post-Election.
If the recall is scheduled to follow the annual meeting, the petition is no longer valid. The board for which the
petition was submitted no longer exists. Even if the same directors are
elected, it is a new board with new terms in office. If the petitioners
wish to recall the newly elected board, they need to submit a new
petition (and then explain to the membership why they should recall the board they just
elected).
Appointments. The outcome is different if the board
appoints new directors in an attempt to evade a recall.
RECOMMENDATION: To avoid wasted time and money, associations should amend their election rules to put
reasonable limits on recall petitions. Associations needing legal assistance can
contact us.
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