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In a homeowner’s association, voting is possibly the most important thing a resident can do to shape their community. How a community is managed, decisions made regarding the neighborhood, and leadership rolls all start with a vote. When homeowners take part in voting, the association’s decisions are more likely to reflect the interests and priorities of the community as a whole.
Voting also promotes accountability. Board members make major decisions regarding various aspects of the community. By taking part in elections, homeowners can determine how these decisions should be handled. Decisions about assessments, funding, amenities, and rules can influence not just your property value, but also the quality of the community. When only a small number of residents vote, the outcome still affects everyone. Broad participation helps produce more balanced outcomes.
Can the Association Vote in a Closed Meeting?
In recent decision by the Arizona Court of Appeals, the answer is clear: no. The Court of Appeals held in A Z N H Revocable Tr. v. Sunland Springs Vill. Howeowners Ass’n, 1 CA-CV 25-0424, 2026 WL 1145908, at *4 (App. Apr. 28, 2026) that while an HOA board may discuss certain sensitive topics in a closed meeting, it may not vote or take formal action there. That has to happen in an open meeting where members have a chance to speak before the board acts. The Court of Appeals highlighted that, “the goal of Section 33-1804 is to promote open meetings and “to ensure that members have the ability to speak after discussion of agenda items but before a vote … is taken.” See Sakrison, 66 Ariz. at 172, 185 P.2d 528. Section 33-1804(F). Mandating that association boards vote and take official action during open meetings helps to achieve that purpose.
What about Notice and Agenda?
The agenda must provide enough information to reasonably inform members about the topics to be discussed, even if some confidential details have to remain private. At the same time, the notice for a closed meeting may still be more limited, so long as it gives the date, time, place, and the statutory basis for closing the meeting. A Z N H Revocable Tr. v. Sunland Springs Vill. Howeowners Ass’n, 1 CA-CV 25-0424, 2026 WL 1145908, at *5-6 (App. Apr. 28, 2026).
What this means for Arizona HOAs
- Boards may still meet privately to discuss the limited subjects authorized by A.R.S. § 33-1804.
- Boards may not vote or take formal action during those closed sessions.
- Closed-session agendas should describe the topic with enough detail to reasonably inform members, without revealing privileged or private information and include the date, time, place, and the statutory basis for closing the meeting.
- If a board intends to act, that action should appear on the open-meeting agenda so members can speak before the vote.
For homeowners, the ruling in A Z N H Revocable Tr. v. Sunland Springs Vill. Howeowners Ass’n, reinforces transparency and participation in community voting. For board members and managers, it is a reminder to review meeting procedures, and agenda practices to ensure compliance with Arizona law. Put simply, closed meetings may be used for discussion of limited matters, but the vote itself belongs in public. Voting is not just a procedural step; it is a practical way for residents to protect their interests, influence community priorities, and help build a well-governed neighborhood.
