Strata Committee Elections: Best Practices for Transparent Voting

NSW Strata Law Changes: What They Mean for Committee Elections — and Why Transparent Voting Matters More Than Ever

For strata managers, committee members and owners corporations across New South Wales, recent reforms to strata legislation are more than procedural tweaks. They go to the heart of how committees are elected, how decisions are made, and how accountability is maintained — especially when it comes to elections and governance.

At Vero Voting, we believe these changes present a clear opportunity: to build trust through transparent, auditable and independently managed voting processes.

Below, we break down what matters most — and how independent online voting can support compliant, defensible outcomes.

Secret Ballot vs Open Ballot: What’s Changed?

One of the most significant themes in the updated NSW strata laws is improving fairness and integrity around voting and decision-making

While the official guidance doesn’t explicitly prescribe secret ballots in all cases, it does emphasise clear, documented processes for meetings and voting — including electronic and written votes where permitted under strata meeting rules. This shift supports more confidential and defensible outcomes where elections are contested or where owners prefer anonymity.  Guide to strata law changes for strata committees and owners

In Queensland, separate reforms have further strengthened secret ballot expectations in contested strata committee elections, reflecting a broader trend towards formalised voting protections beyond NSW.

Whether ballots are open or secret, the key is that the process must be transparent, auditable and compliant with strata meeting procedures.

Strata Committee Member Duties: A Higher Standard of Conduct

The new strata laws in NSW introduce and clarify important duties for strata committee members, including that they must:

These reforms underscore that committee members must uphold high standards not just in day-to-day decisions, but in how elections and voting outcomes are managed and reported.

Chairperson Responsibilities at Meetings

The updated guidance also clarifies expectations around the role of the chairperson of meetings.

Under the new framework, chairpersons are expected to:

For contested elections or difficult decisions, this elevates the importance of having accurate voting mechanisms that the chair can rely on — especially when disputes arise.

Record-Keeping Requirements: Long-Term Accountability

NSW strata law places importance on record keeping for owners corporations and committees.

Strata records must be retained and accessible, and while the exact retention periods vary depending on the type of record, the overarching requirement is that records of meetings, notices, minutes, voting papers, proxies and related documents must be securely maintained and easily inspected. Record keeping requirements

Strong record keeping supports accountability, compliance and transparency, whether for audits, disputes or future approvals.

Benefits of Independent Online Voting for Contested Elections

Contested strata committee elections can create tension, especially when there are:

Independent online voting platforms like Vero Voting can significantly reduce these risks by providing:

These features aren’t just conveniences — they support compliance with strata procedures, build confidence in outcomes, and make it easier for chairpersons and committees to manage elections without administrative burden.

How Vero Ensures Transparent, Defensible Results

At Vero Voting, we design our systems with these priorities in mind:

In an era where trust and transparency are paramount, these capabilities support strata managers and committees in meeting their legislative duties and safeguarding the confidence of owners.

Understand how important changes to strata in 2025 and in 2026 will affect owners and strata committees.