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California HOA Election Timeline Planner

Enter your election day and nomination deadline to get every notice deadline California law sets for a board election, with the rule behind each one. Print it or add it to your calendar.

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Enter your election day above, then select Build my timeline.

This planner covers board elections under California Civil Code sections 5100 to 5145 and AB 1892 (2026), reviewed October 2026. It counts calendar days and treats your election day as both the ballot deadline and the counting meeting. It doesn’t adjust for weekends or holidays, so plan to act a few days early. Your governing documents may require longer notice.

Have your attorney review your timeline. Election rules are technical and a missed step can void the results. Ask your association’s attorney to review your dates before the first notice goes out, especially if your election falls near January 1, 2027, when the AB 1892 changes take effect.

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How the dates are figured

The Rules Behind Each Deadline

Most deadlines count back from your election day, your nomination deadline or the day ballots go out.

Each row in the timeline comes from a specific section of the Civil Code. Here’s what each one says, so you can check the math.

  • Election rules. Election operating rules can’t be amended less than 90 days before an election. At least 30 days before the election, members get their ballot and a copy of the rules, or the ballot shows a website address where the rules are posted.
  • Nomination notice. General notice of how to submit a nomination and the deadline goes out at least 30 days before the nomination deadline.
  • Acclamation notices. To seat uncontested candidates without a vote, the association sends an initial individual notice at least 90 days before the nomination deadline and a reminder 7 to 30 days before it. Starting January 1, 2027, AB 1892 changes these to at least 30 days and at least 10 days before the deadline. Acclamation also requires a regular election within the last three years, a response to each nomination within seven business days and a board vote at an open meeting.
  • Voter and candidate lists. Members must be able to check their own information at least 30 days before ballots go out.
  • Pre-ballot notice. At least 30 days before ballots go out, general notice gives the return deadline and address, the counting meeting and the candidate list.
  • Ballots. Ballots and two envelopes go out at least 30 days before the voting deadline.
  • Electronic voting. Members can switch between electronic and paper ballots up to 90 days before the election, after at least 30 days’ notice of the switch deadline. Notice of the electronic ballot goes out 30 days before the election. Starting January 1, 2027, AB 1892 requires that notice no later than 30 days before the election, sent to each member voting electronically.
  • The count. The inspector counts the ballots in public at a properly noticed open meeting. A board meeting needs at least four days’ notice.
  • Results. General notice of the results goes out within 15 days of the election.
  • Missed quorum. If your documents require a quorum and a director election falls short, the association may reconvene at least 20 days later with a 20 percent quorum, after general notice at least 15 days before the reconvened meeting.
  • Challenges. A member can sue within one year after the results are announced, or later if the claim arises later. The inspector keeps the ballots and election materials until that time runs out.

How to use it

Getting the Most From the Planner

Start four to six months before your election, so there’s time to update the rules and send every notice.

A few habits keep an election on schedule.

  • Pick election day first. Choose the date the inspector will count the ballots, then enter your nomination deadline.
  • Build in a cushion. The planner shows the latest dates the law allows. Aim to finish each step a week early, and move any date that lands on a weekend or holiday earlier, not later.
  • Check your governing documents. Your bylaws or election rules may require longer notice or set an earlier deadline for switching to paper ballots.
  • Share it with the inspector. The inspector of elections handles the ballots and the count, so send them the timeline early.
  • Have your attorney review it. Send the printed timeline to your association’s attorney before the first notice goes out.
  • Rebuild it if anything changes. A new election day or nomination deadline moves most of the other dates.

Sources

The Law Behind This Page

Every rule in this planner comes from the official text. Each link below opens it in a new tab.

Civil Code sections: 4920 · 5100 · 5103 · 5105 · 5115 · 5120 · 5125 · 5145

2026 legislation: AB 1892 (Chapter 169, Statutes of 2026), which changes the acclamation and electronic ballot notices starting January 1, 2027.

Keep going

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Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Sources: Civil Code sections 4920, 5100, 5103, 5105, 5115, 5120, 5125 and 5145; AB 1892 (2026). By the How2HOA Editorial Team. This tool is general educational information, not legal advice. Election rules are technical, so have your association’s attorney review your timeline before the first notice goes out.

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