Our member Joe Coyle asked me to circulate the following posting on his behalf.

Dear Indian Hammock Members,

I wanted to share an important update regarding online voting for our annual elections. At the Board of Directors meeting on Sunday, May 17, 2026, a statement was made that Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), the platform I had previously researched and recommended — is not compliant with Florida Statute 720. This information is not accurate.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the meeting due to a last-minute scheduling conflict. Below is the email I sent directly to President Barbara Roberts on this matter. I have not yet received a reply.
Here is the actual email sent on 5/19/26 at 6:49 AM

Good morning, Barbara,

I’m writing regarding feedback I received about yesterday’s Board meeting. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to a last-minute scheduling conflict. I was particularly interested in the discussion on online voting.

I understand that concerns were raised about HOA Start’s system, and I fully agree it is not the right solution for us. However, I was also told that when Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) was mentioned, the response was that it is not compliant with Florida Statute 720. If that was the statement made, I believe it is not accurate.

SBS is actively used by multiple Florida HOAs and fully supports the requirements under

§720.317. I personally voted through their system as a member in Florida for several years and continue to use it now in Tennessee. They also maintain a dedicated Florida HOA program and marketing materials specifically addressing compliance with our state’s statutes.

Could you please confirm whether that was your response during the meeting? If so, I would respectfully request that we correct the record in the meeting minutes and communicate the accurate information to the membership. Many members are eager for a hybrid online voting option, and an incorrect statement about compliance could unnecessarily delay or discourage progress on this important initiative.

If the comment was taken out of context or not made, that’s wonderful and no further action needed. Either way, I’m happy to hop on a quick call to discuss details or share additional information about SBS.

Thank you.
Best regards, Joe Coyle

Note: This email was written by me, not AI.

For newer members who may not be familiar with the background: In 2024, while serving on the Board, I was asked to research options for adding online/hybrid voting as an additional method for members who cannot attend the annual meeting in person. My research focused on solutions that meet these key requirements:

• Full compliance with Florida Statute §720.317 and HOA governing documents.
• Additive option (not replacing our current in-person/proxies system).
• Secure, SOC 2 compliant, with TLS encryption — accessible from any device, anywhere.
• Fully anonymous ballots.
• Ability for Indian Hammock to manage elections internally or engage an independent administrator.

I previously published a detailed document on our website outlining these findings, which remain available for review on this website.
See  Upcoming Vote to Allow Online Voting in IH | Indian Hammock Owners’ Voice

Following that, we held open meetings with members, and the Elections Committee conducted successful live tests. Members’ support for the hybrid option was very strong.

I am sharing this because online voting is an important issue for many of us. I encourage everyone to review the information, form your own opinion, and share your thoughts respectfully with the Board. Our goal should be to find a solution that works for the majority while respecting all members’ preferences.

Democracy works best when all voices are heard. I welcome any questions or discussion on this topic, privately or publicly.

Thank you for your time and continued engagement in our community. Best regards,

Joseph Coyle