California Civil Code §§ 5105 y 5135
Reglas electorales
La asociación debe adoptar reglas electorales escritas antes de poder someter algo al voto de los
miembros, y esas reglas tienen que prohibir negarle la boleta a un miembro por cualquier motivo que no
sea no ser miembro cuando se distribuyeron las boletas.
Artículos Civ. Code § 5105 · § 5135
Reforma § 5105: AB 2159 (2024)
Relacionados § 5110 · § 5260
En vigor § 5105 desde 2025-01-01
Texto verificado 2026-10-10
Civil Code § 5105 — el texto, en inglés
Election Operating Rules; Candidate Qualifications; Electronic Secret Ballots
Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 383, Sec. 1. (AB 2159) Effective January 1, 2025.
El texto va en inglés porque así está promulgado: la versión inglesa es la que tiene fuerza de ley. La explicación de esta página está en español; si algo en ella difiere del texto, vale el texto.
(a)An association shall adopt operating rules in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Article 5 (commencing with Section 4340) of Chapter 3, that do all of the following:
(a)(1)Ensure that if any candidate or member advocating a point of view is provided access to association media, newsletters, or internet websites during a campaign, for purposes that are reasonably related to that election, equal access shall be provided to all candidates and members advocating a point of view, including those not endorsed by the board, for purposes that are reasonably related to the election. The association shall not edit or redact any content from these communications, but may include a statement specifying that the candidate or member, and not the association, is responsible for that content.
(a)(2)Ensure access to the common area meeting space, if any exists, during a campaign, at no cost, to all candidates, including those who are not incumbents, and to all members advocating a point of view, including those not endorsed by the board, for purposes reasonably related to the election.
(a)(3)Specify the qualifications for candidates for the board and any other elected position, subject to subdivision (b), and procedures for the nomination of candidates, consistent with the governing documents. A nomination or election procedure shall not be deemed reasonable if it disallows any member from nominating themself for election to the board.
(a)(4)Specify the voting power of each membership, the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies, and the voting period for elections, including the times at which polls will open and close, consistent with the governing documents.
(a)(5)Specify a method of selecting one or three independent third parties as inspector or inspectors of elections utilizing one of the following methods:
(a)(5)(A)Appointment of the inspector or inspectors by the board.
(a)(5)(B)Election of the inspector or inspectors by the members of the association.
(a)(5)(C)Any other method for selecting the inspector or inspectors.
(a)(6)Allow the inspector or inspectors to appoint and oversee additional persons to verify signatures and to count and tabulate votes as the inspector or inspectors deem appropriate, provided that the persons are independent third parties who meet the requirements in subdivision (b) of Section 5110.
(a)(7)Require retention of, as association election materials, both a candidate registration list and a voter list. The candidate list shall include names and addresses of individuals nominated as a candidate for election to the board of directors. The voter list shall include the name, voting power, and either the physical address of the voter’s separate interest, the parcel number, or both. The mailing address for the ballot shall be listed on the voter list if it differs from the physical address of the voter’s separate interest or if only the parcel number is used. The association shall permit members to verify the accuracy of their individual information on both lists at least 30 days before the ballots are distributed. The association or member shall report any errors or omissions to either list to the inspector or inspectors who shall make the corrections within two business days.
(b)An association shall disqualify a person from a nomination as a candidate for not being a member of the association at the time of the nomination. An association shall disqualify a nominee if that person has served the maximum number of terms or sequential terms allowed by the association. A director who ceases to be a member shall be disqualified from continuing to serve as a director.
(b)(1)This subdivision does not restrict a developer from making a nomination of a nonmember candidate consistent with the voting power of the developer as set forth in the regulations of the Department of Real Estate and the association’s governing documents.
(b)(2)If title to a separate interest parcel is held by a legal entity that is not a natural person, the governing authority of that legal entity shall have the power to appoint a natural person to be a member for purposes of this article.
(c)Through its bylaws or election operating rules adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) only, an association may disqualify a person from nomination as a candidate pursuant to any of the following:
(c)(1)Subject to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d), an association may require a nominee for a board seat, and a director during their board tenure, to be current in the payment of regular and special assessments, which are consumer debts subject to validation. If an association requires a nominee to be current in the payment of regular and special assessments, it shall also require a director to be current in the payment of regular and special assessments.
(c)(2)An association may disqualify a person from nomination as a candidate if the person, if elected, would be serving on the board at the same time as another person who holds a joint ownership interest in the same separate interest parcel as the person and the other person is either properly nominated for the current election or an incumbent director.
(c)(3)An association may disqualify a nominee if that person has been a member of the association for less than one year.
(c)(4)An association may disqualify a nominee if that person discloses, or if the association is aware or becomes aware of, a past criminal conviction that would, if the person was elected, either prevent the association from purchasing the insurance required by Section 5806 or terminate the association’s existing insurance coverage required by Section 5806 as to that person should the person be elected.
(d)An association may disqualify a person from nomination for nonpayment of regular and special assessments, but may not disqualify a nominee for nonpayment of fines, fines renamed as assessments, collection charges, late charges, or costs levied by a third party. The person shall not be disqualified for failure to be current in payment of regular and special assessments if either of the following circumstances is true:
(d)(1)The person has paid the regular or special assessment under protest pursuant to Section 5658.
(d)(2)The person has entered into and is in compliance with a payment plan pursuant to Section 5665.
(e)An association shall not disqualify a person from nomination if the person has not been provided the opportunity to engage in internal dispute resolution pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 5900) of Chapter 10.
(f)If an association disqualifies a nominee pursuant to this section, an association in its election rules shall also require a director to comply with the same requirements.
(g)Except as provided in subdivision (i), notwithstanding any other law, the rules adopted pursuant to this section may provide for the nomination of candidates from the floor of membership meetings or nomination by any other manner. Those rules may permit write-in candidates for ballots.
(h)Notwithstanding any other law, the rules adopted pursuant to this section shall do all of the following:
(h)(1)Prohibit the denial of a ballot to a member for any reason other than not being a member at the time when ballots are distributed.
(h)(2)Prohibit the denial of a ballot to a person with general power of attorney for a member.
(h)(3)Require the ballot of a person with general power of attorney for a member to be counted if returned in a timely manner.
(h)(4)Require the inspector or inspectors of elections to deliver, or cause to be delivered, at least 30 days before an election, to each member both of the following documents:
(h)(4)(B)A copy of the election operating rules. Delivery of the election operating rules may be accomplished by any of the following methods:
(h)(4)(B)(i)Posting the election operating rules to an internet website and including the corresponding internet website address on the ballot together with the phrase, in at least 12-point type: “The rules governing this election may be found here:”
(h)(4)(B)(iii)Election operating rules adopted pursuant to this section shall not be amended less than 90 days prior to an election.
(i)Notwithstanding an association’s governing documents, the association may adopt an election operating rule that allows an association to utilize an inspector or inspectors of elections, as specified in Section 5110, to conduct an election by electronic secret ballot, except for an election regarding regular or special assessments, as provided for in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 5600).
(i)(1)An election operating rule adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following purposes:
(i)(1)(A)Permitting a member to change their preferred method of voting from electronic secret ballot to written ballot or written ballot to electronic secret ballot no later than 90 days before an election.
(i)(1)(B)Requiring an electronic secret ballot and a written ballot to contain the same list of items being voted on.
(i)(1)(C)(i)For an election operating rule where a member is permitted to opt out of voting by electronic secret ballot to vote by written ballot, requiring the association to mail a written ballot only to a member who has opted out of voting by electronic secret ballot or for whom the association does not have an email address required to vote by electronic secret ballot.
(i)(1)(C)(ii)For an election operating rule where a member who is permitted to opt into voting by electronic secret ballot, requiring the association to send an electronic secret ballot only to a member who has opted into voting by electronic secret ballot.
(i)(1)(D)Requiring the association to maintain a voting list identifying which members will vote by electronic secret ballot and which members will vote by written ballot, and include information on the procedures to either opt out of or opt into voting by electronic secret ballot, as applicable, in the annual statement prepared pursuant to Section 5310.
(i)(1)(E)Requiring a member who votes by electronic secret ballot to provide a valid email address to the association.
(i)(1)(F)Prohibiting nomination of candidates from the floor of membership meetings, notwithstanding subdivision (g).
(i)(2)An electronic secret ballot may be accompanied by or contained in an electronic individual notice in accordance with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4040.
(i)(3)(A)The association shall deliver individual notice of the electronic secret ballot to each member 30 days before the election and shall contain instructions on both of the following:
(i)(3)(A)(i)How to obtain access to that internet-based voting system.
(i)(3)(B)Delivery of the individual notice described in subparagraph (A) may be accomplished by electronic submission to an address, location, or system designated by the member.
(i)(4)For an election operating rule where members are permitted to opt out of voting by electronic secret ballot to vote by written ballot, the association shall provide individual notice, delivered pursuant to Section 4040, at least 30 days before the deadline to opt out of voting by electronic secret ballot, of all of the following:
(i)(4)(B)If the member’s voting method is by electronic secret ballot and the association has an email address for the member, the email address of the member that will be used for voting by electronic secret ballot.
(i)(4)(C)An explanation that the member is required to opt out of voting by electronic secret ballot if the member elects to vote by written secret ballot.
(i)(4)(D)An explanation of how a member may opt out of voting by electronic secret ballot.
(i)(4)(E)The deadline by which the member is required to opt out of voting by electronic secret ballot if the member elects to exercise that right.
(i)(5)A vote made by electronic secret ballot is effective when it is electronically transmitted to an address, location, or system designated by an inspector or inspectors of elections.
(i)(6)A vote made by electronic secret ballot shall not be revoked.
(i)(7)If the association does not have a member’s email address required to vote by electronic secret ballot by the time at which ballots are to be distributed, the association shall send the member a written secret ballot.
(i)(8)For purposes of determining a quorum, a member voting electronically pursuant to this subdivision shall be counted as a member in attendance at the meeting. Once the quorum is established, a substantive vote of the members shall not be taken on any issue other than the issues specifically identified in the electronic vote.
(i)(9)As used in this subdivision, “electronic secret ballot” means a ballot conducted by an electronic voting system that ensures the secrecy and integrity of a ballot pursuant to the requirements of this article.
Reproducido literalmente del texto publicado por el Legislative Counsel de California y verificado palabra por palabra contra una segunda fuente (leginfo (Legislative Counsel official bulk code database, LAW_SECTION_TBL) · California Public Law (Public.Law)). Las leyes de California son actos de gobierno y no tienen derechos de autor. Esta es una reproducción no oficial — la versión oficial la publica el Legislative Counsel en leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, y esa versión es la que rige.
Legible por máquina: /data/5105.json — el mismo texto con sus anclas, fechas y fuentes.
Civil Code § 5135 — el texto, en inglés
Association Funds and Campaign Purposes
Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. (AB 805) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 180.
El texto va en inglés porque así está promulgado: la versión inglesa es la que tiene fuerza de ley. La explicación de esta página está en español; si algo en ella difiere del texto, vale el texto.
(a)Association funds shall not be used for campaign purposes in connection with any association board election. Funds of the association shall not be used for campaign purposes in connection with any other association election except to the extent necessary to comply with duties of the association imposed by law.
(b)For the purposes of this section, “campaign purposes” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(b)(1)Expressly advocating the election or defeat of any candidate that is on the association election ballot.
(b)(2)Including the photograph or prominently featuring the name of any candidate on a communication from the association or its board, excepting the ballot, ballot materials, or a communication that is legally required, within 30 days of an election. This is not a campaign purpose if the communication is one for which subdivision (a) of Section 5105 requires that equal access be provided to another candidate or advocate.
Reproducido literalmente del texto publicado por el Legislative Counsel de California y verificado palabra por palabra contra una segunda fuente (leginfo (Legislative Counsel official bulk code database, LAW_SECTION_TBL) · California Public Law (Public.Law)). Las leyes de California son actos de gobierno y no tienen derechos de autor. Esta es una reproducción no oficial — la versión oficial la publica el Legislative Counsel en leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, y esa versión es la que rige.
Legible por máquina: /data/5135.json — el mismo texto con sus anclas, fechas y fuentes.
La deuda impide la candidatura, no el voto
Esta es la disposición que más se entiende al revés, y el error va siempre en la misma dirección. La
asociación puede inhabilitar al miembro atrasado en sus cuotas para postularse como
candidato. No puede quitarle la boleta.
Son dos pruebas distintas y se aplican en momentos distintos. La candidatura se evalúa cuando cierran
las nominaciones. El derecho al voto se evalúa cuando se distribuyen las boletas, y desde ese momento
la única pregunta que las reglas pueden hacer es si la persona era miembro.
Una función que varias plataformas insinúan y California prohíbe
Un software que ofrece suspender el derecho de voto a los propietarios morosos describe algo que
aquí una asociación no puede hacer legalmente. La asociación que retiene una boleta por ese motivo
le ha servido al miembro un motivo listo para anular la elección bajo el
§ 5145 — y la carga de demostrar que el defecto fue inocuo recae entonces
sobre la asociación. En jurisdicciones donde la deuda sí afecta al voto, España entre ellas, el
mecanismo es legítimo; en California es una responsabilidad.
El cambio a 90 días
Donde la asociación permite el voto electrónico, el miembro puede cambiar entre electrónico y papel a
más tardar 90 días antes de la elección. Pasado ese día, la elección de método queda
fijada.
La consecuencia es operativa: el padrón no se puede congelar por canales cuando sale el aviso. Cada
miembro lleva un método de voto que sigue siendo editable hasta que se cierra la ventana, y cada
cambio necesita su marca de tiempo y su autoría, porque la composición de los dos canales es parte de
lo que el inspector certifica. Véase elecciones híbridas.
Qué tienen que cubrir las reglas
Las reglas electorales no son un trámite que la junta aprueba una vez y olvida. Son el documento que
un impugnante lee primero, y el que el inspector aplica. Como mínimo resuelven:
- Quién reúne los requisitos para ser candidato, y quién lo verifica.
- El procedimiento de nominación y sus plazos.
- El método de voto — papel, electrónico o ambos — y el procedimiento para cambiarlo.
- Cómo se selecciona al inspector de elecciones, y la duración del nombramiento.
- Cómo se entregan, se devuelven, se cuentan y se conservan las boletas.
- El acceso a los medios de la asociación y a la lista de miembros durante una campaña, en igualdad de condiciones.
Cambiar las reglas es un cambio de plazo largo
Adoptar o modificar las reglas electorales lleva su propio periodo de aviso y comentario de los
miembros, y por eso el plazo práctico para un cambio de reglas queda unos 148 días
por delante de la elección que rige. La asociación que decide en febrero votar electrónicamente en
abril ya lo perdió. Cuente las fechas hacia atrás desde su reunión →
El dinero de la asociación, y su altavoz
El § 5135 es corto y tajante: los fondos de la asociación no se usarán con fines de
campaña en una elección de la junta. En cualquier otra elección de la asociación solo pueden
usarse en la medida necesaria para cumplir un deber que la ley le impone.
Después define «fines de campaña» en dos partes, y la segunda es la que atrapa a juntas que actúan de
buena fe:
- Abogar expresamente por la elección o la derrota de cualquier candidato que esté
en la boleta. El caso evidente, y el raro.
- Incluir la fotografía de un candidato, o destacar su nombre, en una comunicación
de la asociación o de su junta, dentro de los 30 días previos a una elección — excepto la boleta,
los materiales de la boleta y las comunicaciones legalmente exigidas.
El problema del boletín del director que se presenta
Un director en ejercicio se presenta a la reelección. El boletín mensual de la asociación sale tres
semanas antes del vencimiento de las boletas, como siempre, con la columna del presidente bajo su
nombre y una foto de la barbacoa de verano. Nadie abogó por nada. El § 5135(b)(2) no pregunta si
alguien abogó.
Dentro de esa ventana de 30 días, una comunicación pagada por la asociación que destaque el nombre
de un candidato es un fin de campaña por definición — salvo que sea una de aquellas para las que el
§ 5105(a)(1) exige ofrecer acceso igual a otro candidato o defensor. Esa
excepción es la vía de vuelta: los dos artículos están hechos para funcionar juntos, y la respuesta
a «¿podemos enviarlo?» suele ser «sí, si se ofreció el mismo espacio a los demás candidatos».
Por eso la obligación de acceso igualitario del § 5105(a) no es una cláusula de cortesía. Es el
mecanismo que hace utilizables los propios medios de la asociación durante una elección, y la
asociación que nunca lo ha puesto en marcha no tiene forma lícita de mencionar a un candidato en el
mes anterior a una votación.
Qué cambió aquí AB 2159
El § 5105 es uno de los seis artículos que tocó la reforma de 2024. Los cambios abren paso a la boleta
electrónica: las reglas ahora pueden permitirla, el derecho del miembro a quedarse fuera está escrito
en el propio artículo, y de esa elección se derivan las obligaciones de la asociación en materia de
aviso y de método. La prohibición de negar la boleta no se relajó. Véase
AB 2159.
Relacionado
- § 5110 — el inspector de elecciones, y los requisitos técnicos de la boleta electrónica.
- § 5115 — quórum, y la reunión reconvocada al 20 por ciento.
- § 5145 — la acción del miembro cuando la elección se celebró violando estas reglas.
- Elecciones híbridas — qué le hace al padrón el cambio a 90 días.