Definition
The instrument members use to cast their vote in an HOA election, whether on paper or securely online.
An election ballot is how members formally cast their votes — most often to elect directors, but also on other matters requiring a membership vote. Ballots may be cast in person, by mail, or securely online.
To hold up to scrutiny, ballots should be tied to verified, eligible members (one vote each), handled per the governing documents, and counted transparently. Online ballots increasingly replace paper because they raise participation, make quorum easier to reach, and produce a cleaner, tamper-resistant record.