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Virginia HOA and condo electronic voting law
Can a homeowners or condominium association in Virginia hold its vote online? Here is what state law says and what it means for your board.
Yes. State law expressly allows electronic voting
Main law: Va. Code 55.1-1832, 55.1-1935, 55.1-1815(H).
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 | Allowed by statute |
|---|---|
| Main statute | Va. Code 55.1-1832, 55.1-1935, 55.1-1815(H) |
| How electronic voting gets authorized | Allowed unless documents expressly prohibit. POA Act needs board guidelines |
| Secret ballot and counting | Electronic means must protect voter identity or switch methods |
| Paper ballot option | Yes, reasonable alternative at association expense |
| Ballot retention | Same as paper records |
A state statute speaks to electronic voting for community associations. Read how it gets authorized below: some statutes let the board decide, some require each owner to consent, and some let governing documents opt out.
Which Virginia rules apply to your association
| Your community | Law that governs the vote | What VoteStead requires |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner associations | Allowed by statute Va. Code 55.1-1832, 55.1-1815(H) | 3 steps the board confirms before a binding vote |
| Condominium associations | Allowed by statute Va. Code 55.1-1935 | 2 steps the board confirms before a binding vote |
What Virginia law requires, and what VoteStead does
The association's declaration, bylaws and articles do not prohibit electronic voting. Va. Code 55.1-1832
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.
The board adopted electronic voting guidelines. Va. Code 55.1-1832
VoteStead: The board confirms this step on the launch checklist before a binding vote opens, and the confirmation goes into the audit log.
The association offers a reasonable alternative to electronic voting at its own expense. Va. Code 55.1-1832
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.
The association's declaration, bylaws and articles do not prohibit electronic voting. Va. Code 55.1-1935
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.
The association offers a reasonable alternative to electronic voting at its own expense. Va. Code 55.1-1935
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
Virginia rule: Same as paper records.
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 Virginia
- The association's declaration, bylaws and articles do not prohibit electronic voting
- The board adopted electronic voting guidelines
- The association offers a reasonable alternative to electronic voting at its own expense
- 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 Virginia rule pack. A summary, not legal advice. Your association and its attorney confirm what applies to your community.
Running a Virginia vote with VoteStead
Available now
VoteStead runs Virginia 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 Virginia law turns off or changes
- Homeowner associations: Paper ballots always on. The association offers a reasonable alternative to electronic voting at its own expense. (Va. Code 55.1-1832) VoteStead prints the paper ballot packets and counts returned ballots with the online ones.
- Condominiums: Paper ballots always on. The association offers a reasonable alternative to electronic voting at its own expense. (Va. Code 55.1-1935) VoteStead prints the paper ballot packets and counts returned ballots with the online ones.
Your responsibility for Virginia law
Your association, and any management company acting for it, is responsible for confirming that each vote complies with Virginia law, county and city rules, and your governing documents. This page and the Virginia 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
Virginia questions
Can an HOA or condo association in Virginia vote online?
Yes. State law expressly allows electronic voting. How it gets authorized: Allowed unless documents expressly prohibit. POA Act needs board guidelines. Main law: Va. Code 55.1-1832, 55.1-1935, 55.1-1815(H). Reviewed September 16, 2026. This is a summary, not legal advice.
What are the Virginia secret ballot and vote counting rules?
Virginia rule on secrecy and counting: Electronic means must protect voter identity or switch methods. VoteStead seals every ballot on the owner's device and stores it with no name attached.
Do owners in Virginia keep a paper ballot option?
Virginia rule: Yes, reasonable alternative at association expense. 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 Virginia association keep ballots?
Virginia retention rule: Same as paper records. VoteStead keeps sealed ballots for 1 year after voting closes by default, and a legal hold keeps them longer.
Is VoteStead available for Virginia associations?
Yes. VoteStead runs Virginia 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 Virginia and local law and its governing documents.