HOA Election by Acclamation in California

Last reviewed October 13, 2026 by the HOA Elections of California inspector team

Yes, sometimes. Under Civil Code section 5103, a California HOA board can seat uncontested candidates by acclamation, without mailing ballots, when the number of qualified candidates at the nomination deadline is no more than the number of open seats. It only works if seven conditions were met in advance, and the first one has to happen 90 days before nominations close.

Acclamation is permissive, not mandatory. The board may choose to hold a full secret ballot election anyway.

The seven conditions

Every one of these has to be satisfied. Miss one and acclamation is not available for that cycle.

1. A recent regular election. The association held a regular director election within the last three years, measured from the date ballots were due in the last full election to the start of voting for the proposed one.
2. A 90-day initial notice. Individual notice at least 90 days before the nomination deadline, stating the number of seats, the deadline, how to nominate, and that acclamation may occur.
3. A reminder notice. Sent between 7 and 30 days before the nomination deadline, repeating that information and listing the qualified candidates so far.
4. Prompt acknowledgment. Written or electronic acknowledgment of each nomination within seven business days.
5. Prompt qualification notice. Written or electronic notice to each nominee within seven business days, confirming they qualify or explaining why not and how to challenge it.
6. Every proper nominee can run. The association permitted every properly nominated candidate to run.
7. A board vote on an agendized item. The board votes to seat the candidates at a meeting whose agenda names each candidate to be seated.

Why the 90-day notice catches boards out

The initial notice has to go out before anyone knows whether the election will be contested. If the board waits to see how many people run, it is already too late, and the association has to run a full ballot election even with one candidate per seat. The practical rule: plan for acclamation at the start of every election cycle, then decide at the nomination deadline whether to use it.

What if more candidates come forward?

If the number of qualified candidates at the nomination deadline is greater than the number of seats, acclamation is off the table and the election proceeds by secret ballot under the normal timeline: a pre-ballot notice at least 30 days before ballots go out, then ballots at least 30 days before the voting deadline, then a public count. See how long an HOA election takes for the full calendar.

Does acclamation still need an inspector?

The nomination process that leads to acclamation is still part of the election, so it pays to involve your independent inspector from the first notice. That way the notices, acknowledgments and qualification letters are handled on the statutory clock, and the association is ready for a ballot election if the seats end up contested. Read more about the inspector of elections role.

Related reading

• The complete guide to California HOA elections, every step in date order
• Davis-Stirling and HOA elections, a section-by-section walkthrough of Civil Code 5100 to 5145
• HOA election FAQ, short answers with the statute behind each one

Official sources

• Civil Code 5103: election by acclamation
• Civil Code 5115: nomination and ballot notices

This page is general information about California law and is not legal advice. Requirements can turn on the wording of your governing documents, and associations should confirm their obligations with their own counsel.