Can a California HOA member nominate themself for the board?

Yes. Under Civil Code section 5105, election rules must specify nomination procedures, and a nomination procedure is not reasonable if it prevents a member from nominating themself.

Are write-in candidates allowed in California HOA elections?

The Davis-Stirling Act does not address write-in votes. Whether a ballot includes a write-in line depends on the association's election rules and bylaws.

HOA Board Nominations, Write-Ins and Floor Nominations in California

Last reviewed October 19, 2026 by the HOA Elections of California inspector team

In a California HOA, how candidates get on the ballot is set by the association's election operating rules, which Civil Code section 5105 requires to specify candidate qualifications and nomination procedures. Any member must be allowed to nominate themself. The Davis-Stirling Act does not mention write-in candidates or nominations from the floor, so whether either is allowed depends on your election rules and bylaws.

What the election rules must say about nominations

Election operating rules adopted under Section 5105 must specify the qualifications for candidates and the procedures for nominating them. A nomination procedure is not reasonable if it prevents a member from nominating themself. The rules cannot be amended less than 90 days before an election, so nomination procedures are settled well before the call for candidates.

The 30-day nomination notice

Under Civil Code section 5115, the association must give general notice of the nomination procedure and the nomination deadline at least 30 days before that deadline. If the association wants the option of seating candidates by acclamation, the notice obligations start much earlier: see election by acclamation.

Who can be disqualified

Two grounds are mandatory: not being a member at the time of nomination, and having already served the maximum number of terms. Optional grounds have to be written into the bylaws or election rules and are limited to being behind on regular and special assessments, joint ownership overlap with a sitting or nominated director, and certain criminal convictions that would void the association's required insurance. Unpaid fines, collection charges and late charges are not grounds, and a member paying under protest or on a payment plan cannot be disqualified. No nominee can be disqualified without first being offered internal dispute resolution, and the same standards apply to sitting directors.

Write-in candidates

Article 4 of the Davis-Stirling Act (Civil Code 5100 to 5145) does not address write-in votes. Whether a ballot includes a write-in line comes from the association's election rules and bylaws. When an association does permit write-ins, the ballot provides a space for the name, on paper and on electronic ballots alike.

Nominations from the floor

Davis-Stirling does not mention floor nominations either. For incorporated associations, Corporations Code section 7520 requires reasonable nomination and election procedures, and one of the procedures the Code treats as reasonable for corporations with 500 or more members, in Section 7521, lets members present at an election meeting make nominations. Where the Corporations Code conflicts with Article 4, Article 4 prevails, and Article 4 requires ballots to go out at least 30 days before the voting deadline with the full candidate list in the pre-ballot notice. Check your bylaws and election rules, and your own counsel, before relying on floor nominations.

Applying to run

Members of associations we serve can submit a board candidate application online before the nomination deadline.

Calling for candidates soon? We prepare the nomination mailing, track and acknowledge nominations, and build the notice calendar with you as your independent inspector of elections.

Request a proposal or see our HOA election and voting services.

Official sources

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.