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North Carolina HOA and condo electronic voting law
Can a homeowners or condominium association in North Carolina hold its vote online? Here is what state law says and what it means for your board.
Allowed through the nonprofit corporation act
Main law: NCGS 55A-7-08, 55A-1-70.
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 | Through the nonprofit corporation act |
|---|---|
| Main statute | NCGS 55A-7-08, 55A-1-70 |
| How electronic voting gets authorized | Written or electronic ballots unless prohibited. Electronic-only needs every member's email designation |
| Secret ballot and counting | Only if documents require |
| Paper ballot option | Effectively yes |
| Ballot retention | State law does not set a period |
No community association statute addresses electronic voting, but the state nonprofit corporation act allows electronic ballots or remote voting for member votes. That path fits associations incorporated as nonprofit corporations. An unincorporated association should confirm its authority with an attorney.
Which North Carolina rules apply to your association
| Your community | Law that governs the vote | What VoteStead requires |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner and condominium associations | Through the nonprofit corporation act NCGS 55A-7-08, 55A-1-70 | 3 steps the board confirms before a binding vote |
What North Carolina law requires, and what VoteStead does
The association is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in this state. NCGS 55A-7-08, 55A-1-70
VoteStead: VoteStead checks the association record. An association not marked as incorporated needs an attorney sign-off letter before a binding vote.
The association's declaration, bylaws and articles do not prohibit electronic voting. NCGS 55A-7-08, 55A-1-70
VoteStead: The board confirms this on the launch checklist before a binding vote opens. The confirmation, with who made it, goes into the audit log.
Owners who have not designated an email address for ballots receive a mailed notice or paper ballot. NCGS 55A-1-70
VoteStead: Paper ballots are always on for this state. VoteStead prints the packets with a secret ballot envelope, logs each returned envelope and counts paper ballots with the online ones.
Ballot records
North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- The association is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in this state
- The association's declaration, bylaws and articles do not prohibit electronic voting
- Owners who have not designated an email address for ballots receive a mailed notice or paper ballot
- 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 North Carolina rule pack. A summary, not legal advice. Your association and its attorney confirm what applies to your community.
Running a North Carolina vote with VoteStead
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VoteStead runs North Carolina 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 North Carolina law turns off or changes
- Homeowner associations: Paper ballots always on. Owners who have not designated an email address for ballots receive a mailed notice or paper ballot. (NCGS 55A-1-70) VoteStead prints the paper ballot packets and counts returned ballots with the online ones.
Your responsibility for North Carolina law
Your association, and any management company acting for it, is responsible for confirming that each vote complies with North Carolina law, county and city rules, and your governing documents. This page and the North Carolina 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
North Carolina questions
Can an HOA or condo association in North Carolina vote online?
Allowed through the nonprofit corporation act. How it gets authorized: Written or electronic ballots unless prohibited. Electronic-only needs every member's email designation. Main law: NCGS 55A-7-08, 55A-1-70. Reviewed September 16, 2026. This is a summary, not legal advice.
What are the North Carolina secret ballot and vote counting rules?
North Carolina rule on secrecy and counting: Only if documents require. VoteStead seals every ballot on the owner's device and stores it with no name attached.
Do owners in North Carolina keep a paper ballot option?
North Carolina rule: Effectively yes. 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 North Carolina association keep ballots?
North Carolina 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 North Carolina associations?
Yes. VoteStead runs North Carolina 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 North Carolina and local law and its governing documents.