How Hybrid Voting Works in a California HOA Election

Last reviewed November 9, 2026 by the HOA Elections of California inspector team

A hybrid HOA election keeps paper ballots for members who prefer them while everyone else votes online, and both are counted together by the inspector of elections. In California it is the most common way to run an electronic election, because members keep the right to a paper ballot under Civil Code section 5105, as amended by AB 2159.

Why most electronic HOA elections are hybrid

Electronic voting does not replace paper. Members keep the right to a paper ballot, and a member without a valid email address on file when ballots go out receives a written ballot. The electronic and written ballots must carry identical content, so in practice an association that adopts electronic voting runs some members on paper and some online in the same election.

What the board has to do first

The board has to adopt an election operating rule that allows the inspector to conduct the election by electronic secret ballot. Like any election operating rule, it cannot be adopted or amended less than 90 days before an election. The rule sets up either an opt-in structure, where members choose electronic voting, or an opt-out structure, where members vote electronically unless they choose paper. The full rules are on our page about HOA electronic voting rules in California.

How members choose paper or online

A member can change their voting method up to 90 days before the election. The association describes its opt-in or opt-out procedure in its annual statement and keeps a list of which members vote which way. Members of associations we serve can use the voting preference form to choose paper or electronic.

What cannot be voted on electronically

Elections regarding regular or special assessments are excluded from electronic voting, so those are held on paper. Board elections, recalls and governing document amendments can be held electronically once the rule is in place.

How paper and electronic ballots are counted together

An electronic vote counts toward quorum the same way a returned paper ballot does. The inspector of elections tabulates both in the same count, and the tally sheet of electronic votes falls under the same no-early-review rule in Civil Code section 5120 and the same custody rule in Civil Code section 5125 as paper ballots. See how HOA ballots are counted for the count meeting itself.

What a hybrid election looks like for homeowners

Online voters get a ballot by email with a secure link unique to them. It takes about two minutes and ends with an on-screen confirmation and an emailed receipt. Paper voters receive their ballot by mail and return it in the double envelope described in how the HOA secret ballot works. The secret ballot protections are the same either way. Watch the walkthrough on how electronic voting works.

What we handle in a hybrid election

We run paper, electronic and hybrid HOA elections as an independent inspector of elections. That includes ballot printing and mailing for paper voters, secure electronic ballots for everyone else, and one combined tabulation. See ballot printing and mailing and our HOA election and voting services.

Related reading

• HOA electronic voting rules, the election rule, opt-in or opt-out and system requirements
• The complete guide to California HOA elections, every step in date order
• HOA election FAQ, short answers with the statute behind each one

Official sources

• Civil Code 5105: election operating rules, including electronic voting
• Civil Code 5110: electronic voting system requirements
• Civil Code 5120: counting and the electronic tally sheet
• Civil Code 5125: custody of election materials

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.