Article Courtesy of The
By CISION -- PR Newswire
Published August 18, 2017
Members of condominium associations are voting
electronically through the internet and watching live streaming video of
their association meetings thanks to a new, password protected, e-voting web
portal software called Condo.Voting powered by Voting Portals, LLC. The
innovative new technology was specially designed for Florida condominium
associations by prominent Miami real estate attorney, Ben Solomon, who
represents hundreds of condominiums and HOAs, as well as major real estate
developers, banks, hotels, and other investors. The e-voting web portal
software is internet-based and can be accessed by members of an association
anywhere in the world via their desktop, laptop or mobile device.
Condo.Voting complies with F.S. 718, which in 2015 authorized associations
to use electronic voting and send official notices via electronic
transmission to consenting members. Condo.Voting also helps associations
comply with a new 2017 condo statute requiring condominium associations with
over 150 units to post official records and other information to a password
protected web site by July 1, 2018.
On August 7th 2017, the results of the Mirador 1000
Condominium Association vote regarding exterior improvements
to the building were read aloud by the president of the
association while the meeting was live streamed
(broadcasted) to the members over the internet though the
association's new password protected e-voting web portal.
Over a two-week open voting period, dozens of owners voted
online with ease, voicing their say on an important
aesthetic and financial matter to the association. In the
end, the online votes helped make the difference in
achieving a valid legal result under the association's
governing documents. Owners were also able to log on to
Condo.Voting to view the two graphical options of the
proposed work, see a cost comparison, and review the ballot,
notice and other pertinent information before voting. When
voting opened, each consenting member of the association
received an encrypted voting code by email which they
inserted into the program to obtain their secure ballot and
cast their vote. Each voter then got a receipt by email
confirming their vote had been counted. For the first time
in Florida and perhaps the entire nation, an association
meeting was live streamed to the members through the
internet via the association's password protected e-voting
web portal, and the results of the vote and a recording of
the meeting were automatically archived. |
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Board of Directors Meeting of Mirador 1000
Condominium Association - Dozens of Owners Voted Online and the
Meeting was Live Streamed to Members Via the Portal.
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"The online votes definitely helped us achieve a valid result and made it
much easier for our owners to vote," stated Komal Bhojwani, president of the
Mirador 1000 Association. "We also love the live streaming video and
recording feature."
A day later on August 8th 2017, Continuum South Tower Condominium
Association had similar success where dozens of their owners also voted
online through Condo.Voting to achieve a major vote regarding proposed
renovations to the association's fourth floor social room. Owners of that
building were able to log on to the portal to view the designer's proposal
and renderings, as well as review notice of the meeting, the ballot, and
other information. The meeting was live streamed to the members through the
association's secure, password protected, e-voting web portal. Similar to
the Mirador, Continuum South Tower would not have been able to achieve a
quorum without the members' online votes.
"Our owners really like using Condo.Voting because it is easy to vote and
they can watch the meetings online and see all the information," said Jenny
Little, general manager of Continuum South Tower. "I also like that I can
load all of my own content and make whatever changes I want to the portal
anytime."
In both major condo towers the voting participation of eligible voters was
around 80%. This is a strong indicator of the demand for online voting and
should encourage others condo buildings to implement the same for their
members as soon as possible. In addition to providing members with a more
convenient platform and superior online services, electronic voting and
sending notices via email will also significantly cut down the costs to an
association of printing, copying and postage, easily saving thousands of
dollars a year.
"As an election monitor, this is by far the best online voting system I've
seen," stated Tom Rementeria, who has monitored hundreds of elections for
condominiums. "This will reduce fraud and save time and money for
associations. Plus, it's very user friendly."
Voting Portals, LLC is a Miami based software development company that is
developing and marketing online voting solutions for multiple consumer
sectors including Condo/HOA, Union, Shareholder, Municipal, School, and
Business. Among other real estate software programs, the company plans to
deliver HOA.Voting to the market in September of 2017, which will be similar
to Condo.Voting, but tailored to HOAs so it complies with F.S. 720. Voting
Portals also plans to expand its online voting presence into other major
metropolitan markets including New York and New Jersey by next year.
"I am very excited to be involved in this cutting-edge space of online
voting and live streaming meetings to members through the internet," stated
Ben Solomon, Esq., CEO and founder of Voting Portals. "I believe we are just
getting started…"
"With the rapid growth and adoption of blockchain technology, Voting Portals
is already working on implementing such technology to our collection of
online products," added Chief Technology Officer, Osmany Barrinat.
Condo.Voting is currently being offered free to the market and revenues will
be based on an advertising model and other retained rights. The company is
currently accepting new condominium association clients in Miami-Dade and
Broward counties.
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