Dear Editor,
I am writing to express serious concerns regarding what appears to be a restrictive and unfair voting process implemented by the Harbison Community Association (HCA) for the election of its Board members.
According to the HCA bylaws, voter registration “begins and runs until 5:00 p.m. April 13th” and must be completed in person at the Community Center during a 45-day window. Furthermore, the rules state that only those members who voted in person or by proxy in the 2024 annual meeting are exempt from re-registering.
This raises a troubling question: why should a resident in good standing—one who has paid their HCA assessment—be denied the right to vote simply because they did not participate in last year’s election?
And what about the new neighbor who bought their house in September last year. They are barred from voting unless they register to vote but they didn’t get a letter emphasizing the fact that they need to register to vote.
Requiring in-person registration within a limited timeframe creates unnecessary barriers for many residents, including working families, seniors, and those with transportation or scheduling challenges. More importantly, tying voting eligibility to prior participation effectively disenfranchises dues-paying members who have every right to have their voices heard in their community.
Voting in community association elections should be accessible, transparent, and inclusive—not limited by procedural hurdles that discourage participation. Policies like this undermine trust and raise legitimate concerns about fairness and representation.
If the HCA truly seeks to represent the interests of all its members, it should revisit these rules and adopt a more open and equitable voting process—one that respects the rights of every resident who contributes to the community.
Sincerely,
Barry A Walker
Irmo, SC
