Home / State laws / New York
New York HOA and condo electronic voting law
Can a homeowners or condominium association in New York hold its vote online? Here is what state law says and what it means for your board.
State law does not clearly allow it
Main law: RPL 339-v, N-PCL 603, 614.
Reviewed September 16, 2026. A summary of state law, not legal advice. Each association, and any management company acting for it, is responsible for confirming with its own attorney that a vote complies with state and local law and its governing documents. See our Terms of Service.
The rules at a glance
| Legal status | No clear authority |
|---|---|
| Main statute | RPL 339-v, N-PCL 603, 614 |
| How electronic voting gets authorized | Online vote tied to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting (N-PCL 603). Votes outside meetings need unanimous consent (614) unless the certificate allows less. Co-ops: BCL 602 internet voting |
| Secret ballot and counting | Inspectors on member request |
| Paper ballot option | Not required |
| Ballot retention | State law does not set a period |
No statute clearly authorizes owner electronic voting. Before a binding online vote, have your attorney confirm authority. A bylaw amendment or board resolution, owner opt-in consent and a paper ballot option give the vote the firmest footing.
Which New York rules apply to your association
| Your community | Law that governs the vote | What VoteStead requires |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner associations | No clear authority RPL 339-v, N-PCL 603, 614 | 1 step the board confirms before a binding vote, plus an attorney sign-off letter |
| Cooperatives | No clear authority BCL 602 | 1 step the board confirms before a binding vote, plus an attorney sign-off letter |
What New York law requires, and what VoteStead does
The board adopted a resolution or rule authorizing electronic voting. RPL 339-v, N-PCL 603, 614
VoteStead: The board confirms the resolution on the launch checklist before a binding vote opens. Keep the resolution with the association records.
New York ties online votes to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting (N-PCL 603). Votes outside a meeting need unanimous written consent (N-PCL 614). N-PCL 603, 614
VoteStead: The election form asks for the meeting time and will not save a binding election that closes outside the meeting day.
No statute clearly authorizes electronic voting here. New York ties online votes to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting. Votes outside a meeting need unanimous consent unless the certificate allows less. RPL 339-v, N-PCL 603, 614
VoteStead: A binding vote needs a sign-off letter from the association's attorney confirming authority. The launch checklist will not let voting open without it. Test elections run without it.
The board adopted a resolution or rule authorizing electronic voting. BCL 602
VoteStead: The board confirms the resolution on the launch checklist before a binding vote opens. Keep the resolution with the association records.
New York cooperative internet voting is tied to a shareholder meeting (BCL 602). BCL 602
VoteStead: The election form asks for the meeting time and will not save a binding election that closes outside the meeting day.
No statute clearly authorizes electronic voting here. New York cooperative corporations may use internet voting under BCL 602. BCL 602
VoteStead: A binding vote needs a sign-off letter from the association's attorney confirming authority. The launch checklist will not let voting open without it. Test elections run without it.
Ballot records
New York law does not set a retention period. Your documents and association records rules govern.
VoteStead keeps the certified result and the audit log, and deletes sealed ballots and voting credentials 1 year after voting closes by default. Ask for a longer hold and we keep them longer. Where your state sets a longer records period, that period applies to the records your association keeps, and the certified result and audit log are what you file.
Before your first online vote in New York
- The board adopted a resolution or rule authorizing electronic voting
- New York ties online votes to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting (N-PCL 603). Votes outside a meeting need unanimous written consent (N-PCL 614)
- No statute clearly authorizes electronic voting here. New York ties online votes to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting. Votes outside a meeting need unanimous consent unless the certificate allows less
- New York cooperative internet voting is tied to a shareholder meeting (BCL 602)
- No statute clearly authorizes electronic voting here. New York cooperative corporations may use internet voting under BCL 602
- Collect owner emails and mobile numbers, and mailing addresses for everyone else
- Choose 3 key holders who are not candidates, not board members up for election and not the managing agent
Built from VoteStead's New York rule pack. A summary, not legal advice. Your association and its attorney confirm what applies to your community.
Running a New York vote with VoteStead
Available now
VoteStead runs New York elections with a rule pack that apply the state's consent, secret ballot and records rules. VoteStead's counsel reviewed it. The launch checklist blocks voting until the board confirms the required steps.
Features New York law turns off or changes
- Homeowner associations: Voting is tied to an owner meeting. New York ties online votes to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting (N-PCL 603). Votes outside a meeting need unanimous written consent (N-PCL 614).
- Homeowner associations: Attorney letter before a binding vote. New York law does not clearly authorize electronic voting for homeowner associations, so the association's attorney confirms authority in a sign-off letter. Test elections run without it.
- Condominiums: Attorney letter before a binding vote. New York law does not clearly authorize electronic voting for condominiums, so the association's attorney confirms authority in a sign-off letter. Test elections run without it.
Your responsibility for New York law
Your association, and any management company acting for it, is responsible for confirming that each vote complies with New York law, county and city rules, and your governing documents. This page and the New York rule pack summarize state law as of the reviewed date and do not cover local rules or your own documents. Have your attorney confirm your authority and your notice, quorum and counting rules before a binding vote. VoteStead is not responsible for a vote found invalid because of those determinations. See our Terms of Service.
What every VoteStead election includes
- Ballots sealed on the owner's device and stored with no name attached
- A 2-of-3 key split, so nobody opens ballots before voting closes
- Email and text invitations, plus mailed notices with access codes
- A live turnout board, quorum proxies and automatic reminders to owners who have not voted
- A tracker code so each owner confirms their ballot counted
New York questions
Can an HOA or condo association in New York vote online?
State law does not clearly allow it. How it gets authorized: Online vote tied to a noticed remote or hybrid meeting (N-PCL 603). Votes outside meetings need unanimous consent (614) unless the certificate allows less. Co-ops: BCL 602 internet voting. Main law: RPL 339-v, N-PCL 603, 614. Reviewed September 16, 2026. This is a summary, not legal advice.
What are the New York secret ballot and vote counting rules?
New York rule on secrecy and counting: Inspectors on member request. VoteStead seals every ballot on the owner's device and stores it with no name attached.
Do owners in New York keep a paper ballot option?
New York rule: Not required. VoteStead prints paper ballot packets with a secret ballot envelope, logs each returned envelope and counts paper ballots with the online ones.
How long must a New York association keep ballots?
New York law does not set a period for these ballots. VoteStead keeps sealed ballots for 1 year after voting closes by default.
Is VoteStead available for New York associations?
Yes. VoteStead runs New York elections with a rule pack for the state's community association law, reviewed by VoteStead's counsel. Features the state does not allow are turned off. Your association, and any management company acting for it, remains responsible for confirming each vote complies with New York and local law and its governing documents.