Frequently Asked Questions about Annual Meetings and Elections Season

The 2026 annual meeting season begins May 15, and will continue for the next six weeks as all 16 Mutuals and the Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) host their annual meetings. The annual meeting and election season begins in January and concludes at the end of June. Following are most asked questions and answers about this time of the year.

What is the annual meeting and how is it different from a regular board meeting?

The mutual corporations and the GRF are required to have annual meetings in order to report to the membership their activities in the past year. Directors read reports concerning finances, infrastructure, accomplishments and goals for the future. An annual meeting is similar to a State of the Union speech as directors are limited to presenting reports whereas business is conducted at board meetings.

Who can attend annual meetings?

Shareholders/owners are encouraged to attend their mutual annual meeting (see schedule at right). All foundation members are encouraged to attend the GRF annual meeting on Tuesday, June 9, at 2 p.m. in Clubhouse 4.

Are the elections and annual meetings held on the same day?

The ballot counting for each mutual's election will be conducted at the annual meeting. The ballot counting for the GRF election will be conducted at a special GRF Board meeting on Tuesday, June 2, at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 4, one week before the GRF annual meeting.

How often are elections conducted?

Most Mutual boards of directors are elected annually. The GRF has elections every year but elects directors from evennumbered Mutuals in evennumbered years and directors from odd-numbered Mutuals in odd-numbered years.

How many ballots will I receive?

Depending on the mutual, people may receive one or two ballots. Shareholders in Mutuals 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 will receive two different ballots— a ballot to elect their Mutual board of directors and a ballot to elect their GRF director(s). Shareholders in Mutuals 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15 and 17 are scheduled to receive one mutual ballot.

Should I separate the voting portion of the ballot before mailing it in the envelope provided?

People must check enclosed instructions on how to fill out ballots and how to return ballots to HOA Elections of California.

Has my ballot been mailed?

Check the election schedule to the right to see when the Mutual ballots were mailed. The GRF ballots will be mailed May 1. Sample envelopes for both Mutual and GRF ballots and their return envelopes are shown in the bottom right.

There is more than one person who lives in my unit; do we each receive a ballot?

One ballot is mailed to each unit on file. The unit represents one share of stock/voting power. Per Mutual bylaws, if there are multiple owners of one membership (unit) in the corporation, despite the multiplicity of owners, they shall jointly have only one vote.

Can I use a proxy or designate someone to vote on my behalf?

Proxies are not permissible in GRF elections, but depending on the Mutual's election rule, proxies may be used in Mutual elections. To ensure the ballot’s integrity, ballot envelopes must be signed by the shareholder member connected to that household.

Are write-in candidates permitted?

Foundation bylaws do not permit write-in candidates for GRF directors. There is a space on most mutual ballots for write-in candidates. However, for the vote to be properly cast for the write-in candidate, that candidate must be nominated at the annual meeting, nominations from the floor, and be present to accept the nomination.

My mail is forwarded to a post office box or an address outside the community. Will my ballot be forwarded to me?

No. As the voting rights are tied to the unit, ballots are all mailed to the units unless a secondary address is listed in the system. However, a replacement ballot can be mailed to the address of a shareholder’s choice. To request a replacement ballot, people can visit the HOA Elections of California website https://hoaelections.net/needa- replacement- ballot, email info@hoaelections.com, or call 951-667-7191.

The candidates on my ballot are running unopposed; why

should I vote?

Everyone’s participation in the election process is critical for the operation of this community. Additionally, the return of each properly cast ballot ensures that each Mutual will obtain the necessary number of votes to produce the annual meeting and counting of ballots.

I don't know the candidates running for my mutual’s board of directors; why should I vote?

Read the candidate Statement of Qualifications (often referred to as a resume or biography) included with the ballot. Ask candidates questions, attend meet-the-candidates events, or ask friends and neighbors for their opinion. Those who decide to not cast their votes for any of the mutual candidate, are still encouraged to vote by checking the box labeled 'abstain from voting— ballot counted for quorum only' portion of the ballot. This lets shareholders participate in the election process by returning a properly cast ballot.

I've heard a quorum is necessary before the ballots can be counted. What is a quorum?

A quorum is the minimum number of members that must be present to make Mutual annual meeting proceedings valid. In the case of elections everyone’s properly cast ballot counts as attendance. A quorum of at least 1/3 for some Mutuals and 50%+1 for some of the mutual corporation membership is required before the mutual ballots can be counted.

I lost my ballot or can't remember if I mailed it. What do I do?

QUESTIONS, page 16 QUESTIONS

from page 6

For a replacement ballot, contact the Inspectors of Elections, HOA Elections of California, by phone at 951-667-7191, email

info@hoaelections.com, or visit https://hoaelections.net/need-areplacement-b allot.

Where do I mail the ballot?

The ballots can be mailed to the Inspector of Elections, HOA Elections of California., Inc, 1001 Avenida Pico, Suite C496, San Clemente, CA 92673. Drop the ballot in a U.S. Mailbox as soon as possible. The ballot must be received before the annual meeting, on a business day, by 5 p.m. Members can also use the on-site ballot box in front of the Administration building at least one hour before the start of their Mutual’s annual meeting. People may also hand deliver their ballots to Clubhouse 4 on the day of the annual meeting. See instructions on the ballot for further information and don’t forget to sign the outside return envelope.

I still have questions about annual meetings and elections. Who can help me?

For Mutual election assistance, contact Senior Portfolio Specialist Ripa Barua at ripab@lwsb.com. For GRF election assistance, contact Andrea Matteucci at andream@lwsb.com or Emma Hurtado at emmah@lwsb.com.

Table Notes:

*If the date to apply as a candidate falls on a weekend, applications may be picked up the previous Friday. **If a deadline falls on a weekend, applications will be accepted the following Monday. Candidate applications must be received in Stock Transfer Office by no later than 4 p.m. on the deadline day. ***If the date to mail ballots (30 days before the election) falls on Friday or a weekend the ballots will be mailed the previous Thursday.

—Ripa Barua, Portfolio Specialist

Shareholders must return their Mutual ballots in a light blue return envelope. It is included in the HOA Elections of California envelope and must be signed by a shareholder in order to be counted.

GRF ballots will be mailed to shareholders in a yellow envelope.

Shareholders must return their GRF ballots in a light yellow return envelope. It is included in the HOA Elections of California envelope and must be signed by a shareholder in order to be counted.