A poll is a different way of counting votes for a motion.
If your body corporate does have a CMS, learn about voting by poll in that case.
When a poll vote can be used
A poll vote can be used on a motion that can be decided by ordinary resolution.
When voting on a motion to be decided by ordinary resolution each lot has 1 vote, unless a poll is requested.
A poll takes into account the lot entitlements for each lot for which a vote is cast.
A poll vote can be taken how the chairperson chooses.
Asking for a poll
Any person entitled to vote at a general meeting can ask for votes (on a motion to be decided by ordinary resolution) to be counted by a poll.
The person must ask for the poll:
- in person, at the meeting
or
- on the voting paper, whether or not present at the meeting.
The request for the poll:
- can be made whether or not the meeting has already voted on the motion
- can be withdrawn by the person who asked for it.
Any co-owner or co-mortgagee can ask for a poll. The vote of each co-owner or co-mortgagee is proportional to their interest in the lot.
Co-owners and co-mortgagees can appoint a joint proxy. A joint proxy’s vote on the poll is proportional to the co-owners’ or co-mortgagees’ interests in the lot (who do not vote personally or by an individual proxy).
Read more about voting by co-owners and co-mortgagees at general meetings.
Counting votes if a poll is asked for
Instead of counting each vote for and against a motion, a poll counts the lot entitlements of the lots voting for and against a motion.
The motion is passed only if the total lot entitlements of the lots that vote for the motion are more than those for the lots that vote against the motion.
If there are equal votes in a poll, the chairperson is entitled to a casting vote (in addition to their original vote).
