Dear BSA Members,
After careful review, the board has unanimously decided to hold a new election for our three open board positions. We want to explain why this is necessary and how we’ll ensure the new election is fair.
During our January 29-February 2 election , several serious problems occurred:
. Ballots were distributed and collected without official supervision
. Some candidates helped distribute and collect ballots
. Voter eligibility was not verified before issuing ballots
. Candidates were present inside the polling place campaigning during the election
We have 130+ active members with paid 2026 dues. Of these, 62 members participated in the election , yet we received 72 ballots. When more ballots are received than voters who participated, the election results cannot be certified as valid. This ballot discrepancy alone makes it impossible to verify the election results because we cannot determine which ballots were legitimate.
As a nonprofit corporation in Arizona, our Board of Directors has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the organization and its members. Arizona Revised Statutes § 10-3830 requires directors to “discharge their duties in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.” Additionally, Arizona election law principles require that only eligible voters cast ballots and that each eligible voter cast only one ballot.
How We’ll Do It Right
For our new election (to be held within the next 10 working days), we’re putting these safeguards in place:
✓ Verified voter list – Only members with paid 2026 dues can vote (130+ eligible voters)
✓ Neutral election commitee -Members who aren’t candidates or related to them will supervise voting
✓ One vote per member – We’ll check each voter off the list when they receive a ballot
✓ Supervised ballots – Ballots will be kept secure and supervised at all times
✓ Strict candidate rules:
. Candidates may only be at the polling place to cast their own vote
. No campaigning within 50 feet of the polling place
. Candidates cannot handle any ballots except their own
. No one can coach anyone on how to vote
✓ Ballot reconciliation – Ballots issued must equal ballots returned
✓ Transparent count – At least 3 witnesses will be present for counting
What You Need to Do
. Verify your eligibility – Check the posted list of eligible voters (members with paid 2026 dues). If you’ve . Watch for the election date – We’ll announce the date within the next few days. The election will be held on a single day at the Senior Center during regular hours. We need all our members to vote on election day. Even if you voted before, you’ll need to vote again. Please vote only once. If you can’t attend in person, you can request a ballot by email.
Questions?
Contact Executive Director: Carol Loy at the Senior Center, email her @ [email protected], or call her at (520) 220-9902. Or contact BSA President: Kara Donnell at [email protected] or call her at (480) 553-2485.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to put them in writing and submit them to the BSA Board of Directors for their immediate consideration.
Thank you for your patience as we fulfill our responsibility to ensure fair elections. BSA is YOUR organization, and your voice matters. That’s why it’s important for all our members to vote properly. We’re committed to ensuring every eligible member gets exactly one vote in a properly supervised election .
With respect and gratitude,
Carol Loy, BSC ExecuTIve Director
Kara Donnell, BSA President
Dan Flores, Member at Large
Joni Giacomino, Member at Large
Richard Hannigan, Member at Large
