Election Reform for the PVHA

Our Goals

We believe it is important to have a PVHA board that is elected by and accountable to the members. We also believe it is wrong for a board of directors to appoint themselves. Our original bylaw amendment proposed that the PVHA bylaws be updated to include a provision that if an election fails to achieve quorum then those candidates who received the most votes be allowed to serve on an appointed basis until the next election. While collecting signatures it became clear that the PVHA Membership list is inaccurate making our efforts all the more difficult. As a result on July 25, 2025 we asked a Judge to review the PVHA's election procedures and make changes to the PVHA bylaws to ensure that those who vote in the election determine the outcome. One of the things we asked the court to look at is the quorum itself and potentially lower it. While we will continue with our Bylaw Amendment Petition, we also hope Judge Honeycutt's review of the PVHA's election procedures will provide another avenue towards an election that counts.

Our only goal is to end the practice of a small minority of never elected board members ignoring the member ballots cast and appointing themselves winners year after year after year.

Lawsuit Key Points:

Q:Why is judicial review needed?
A: We think it is important to have an elected board, something the PVHA has lacked for 16 years and counting.  We also believe that the founders of the PVHA did not intend for an existing board to reappoint themselves year after year.  We'd like a Judge's opinion.

Q:What does the law say?
A: California Corporations Code 7515(a) says that any member of the PVHA can ask a Judge for help if an annual meeting (the election is part of the meeting) is not functioning.   In fact, the PVHA's own lawyer states on their website that "If members are unhappy with the board's decision (regarding appointment of Directors after an election), they have the right to file their own petition with the court to reduce the quorum requirements. (Corp. Code § 7515(a).)"  A full text of the law is below:

"If for any reason it is impractical or unduly difficult for any corporation to call or conduct a meeting of its members, delegates or directors, or otherwise obtain their consent, in the manner prescribed by its articles or bylaws, or this part, then the superior court of the proper county, upon petition of a director, officer, delegate or member, may order that such a meeting be called or that a written ballot or other form of obtaining the vote of members, delegates or directors be authorized, in such a manner as the court finds fair and equitable under the circumstances."

Q:Isn't this a drastic move? 
A: Allowing those who vote in elections to determine the outcome is not drastic.  While it may be acceptable to have a few elections in which quorum is not attained we believe the founders never intended to allow PVHA directors to self appoint themselves for 16 years in a row and 22 out of 26 years. 

Q: What does the PVHA board think? 
A: Before asking a Judge to review our case we asked the PVHA if they would support our efforts to have an elected board and join our judicial petition.  In similar situations, other HOAs have actually asked Courts themselves for help when they have difficulty attaining quorum.  In March 2025 the PVHA board declined to join our efforts.  A copy of their response is here.  

Q:Where can i follow the court case?
A: We are posting all files and a timeline here 

Q: What about the bylaw amendment?
A: It is still going.  We will pursue any and all methods for having a democratically elected PVHA board. 

Q:The amendment sounds reasonable. How do I sign?
A: We will be proactively reaching out to as many members as possible. If you haven't heard for us and want to sign please email us at info@reformthepvha.com.

Q: I also support having an elected PVHA board is there anything else I can do to help?
A: Yes.  We really need donations so we can pay for more legal assistance.  While we were able to have a lawyer review our legal complaint, we couldn't afford to have one officially represent us and file our petition to the court. This puts us a big disadvantage.  Donations would allow us to hire a lawyer to help.  There is a link to our Go-Fund-Me fundraiser below.  If you have legal experience and would like to volunteer that would be welcomed as well.

Want to contribute? Support our campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-palos-verdes-homes-board-reform

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