Property Owners Legal Defense Fund 2018

                                Property Owner’s Right to Vote Fund

This Could Be You:  A lawsuit is underway right now in Texas that could affect the voting rights of every home owner in America who is part of a Property Owners Association (POA) or Home Owners Association (HOA). The defendants in a lawsuit that took away voting rights from property owners in the Holly Lake Ranch Association, a community governed by a Texas HOA, are appealing their case to the Texas Appellate Court, and the outcome will set precedent for similar legal actions from POA property owners across Texas and in all 50 states.

Here’s what is needed, what happened, and why it matters:

THE NEED: $60,000 for a legal defense fund that will help ensure the right of every property owner that is a member of an HOA/POA to vote on any matter concerning the home owner’s rights and responsibilities.

WHAT HAPPENED: The HOA board members elected to sue a small group of carefully chosen homeowners to change the voting method used by all property owners to amend, repeal or modify their private property deed restrictions.

·         The eight retired homeowners included three military veterans, two 80-year-olds, one homeowner critically diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and one grandmother who is serving as a full-time caregiver to a grandchild with cerebral palsy. These folks possibly were selected suspecting that the group would not be inclined to fight the lawsuit and would not have the financial means to defend their right to vote.

·         The HOA board members underestimated the group. These folks, living on fixed incomes, pulled together enough funds to oppose the initial lawsuit.

·          Sec. [phone redacted] of Texas State Law is clear on the matter:

o   A RIGHT TO VOTE. (a) A provision in a dedicatory instrument (Restrictions or Bylaws) that would disqualify a property owner from voting in a property owners’ association election of board members or on any matter concerning the rights or responsibilities of the owner is void.

·         Regardless, the district judge hearing the case ruled from the bench in favor of the HOA board members. His decree:

o   Cost the group of defendants $46,000 in attorney fees.

o   Denies the 3,234 property owners of Holly Lake Ranch their right to a majority vote. The decree allows only 1884 property owners out of 3,234 to vote.

o   Consolidated HOA power unto the hands of a few board members, by severely limiting the voter base.

WHY IT MATTERS:  This could happen to you. If you live in a community managed by an HOA/POA, and a small group of “officials” decides to consolidate power with the intent of forcing decisions on you without your voice or approval, you could lose your right to vote and be left to pay the consequences. Future judgments will lean on this outcome as precedent.

The law is clear. Every Property Owner in a POA has a right to vote. Please stand by these courageous, faithful citizens to protect their right to vote – and yours.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The laws of our land are sacred, and no judge or elite faction should be able to overturn the law by fiat. If only 3,000 people donate $20 each to help these worthy defendants, the goal of $60,000 will be met. Please consider prayerfully supporting the “Home Owner’s Right to Vote Fund.”

Donate today, either through this page, or by writing a check to “Property Owners Legal Defense Fund” and sending to 190 Private Rd. 7538, Hawkins, TX 75765.

God bless you and thank you for your support.