Ballots vs. Proxies
What's the difference between a Ballot and a Proxy?
We explain the difference between Ballot and all the different proxy types.
People, associations and lawyers generally agree on what a proxy is and what powers it conveys.
But if you ask them for a definition of a proxy, you'll end up getting a slightly different answer from each person you ask.
A proxy allows an owner to assign their voting rights to vote at the owners’ meeting, to someone else – the Proxy holder - who attends the meeting in the owner’s place and casts the owner’s vote. It allows the owner to exercise control over how their vote is cast, without actually attending the meeting.
Here is a definitive list of all the different types of proxies/ballots.
Definitions:
Directed Proxy - lists the issues that a proxy holder may cast a vote for on behalf of a voting interest, and instructs the proxy holder on how to vote on each of those issues.
General/Quorum Proxy - allows a proxy holder to vote however he or she sees fit on any matter that may be undertaken at a specific condominium or cooperative unit owner meeting, and/or may be counted only for the purpose of establishing a quorum at a meeting.
Limited Proxy - a combination of a general and a directed proxy, which can only be applicable when there are going to be votes on multiple issues during the meeting. The member instructs the proxy to vote a certain way on one or more issues (i.e., directed proxy), and additionally gives the proxy holder the freedom to vote as the proxy wishes on any other matters that come up (i.e., general proxy).
Ballot – a method of casting a vote directly on a specific issue, proposal, and/or election of board members. It does not involve delegating voting power to another person.
Voting online is akin to casting an ‘Absentee Ballot’ – owners are still casting a ballot, they are just not present “at” the meeting to cast their ballot in person.
Generally speaking, ezVote is an online voting platform, and therefore allows voters to cast a BALLOT (not a Proxy) through our system.
Also, to help you meet quorum, we can include a 'General Proxy' question for the purposes of meeting quorum only. Basically, it's like taking attendance (asking the voter to grant their proxy) to have enough people at your meeting.