Watching the Election Committee meeting video of 4/28/2025 is revealing.

First, it is obvious the committee members and the chair are not as familiar with M-06 as they should be. Board Resolution M-06 lays out the Elections and Referendums Procedures to be followed by the Election Committee.

For example, Chairman Ransdell went on at length about his opposition to allowing association members to know the results of the vote count on the day votes are counted.

Ransdell said something to the effect that the vote results have only been announced the last two years. That is incorrect. Ransdell also said any announced results under M-06 were results announced by the election contractor, not the committee. Also incorrect.

Ransdell lamented the "old" outdated procedures in M-06. The latest version of M-06 was enacted by the Board of Directors in April 2024.

Ransdell, the chairman, is obviously not familiar with the language in M-06. No wonder there is confusion and discord over the election process under his leadership.

M-06 states:

"Two original copies of the final vote count shall be prepared, certified (signed and dated) by the Chairperson. The final vote count will be attested to by the Election Committee members present. Upon attestation of the final vote count, the results will be announced live on the OPA internet stream and/or TV, emailed to the Board of Directors, emailed to all candidates, and posted on the Ocean Pines Association website."

M-06, quite clearly in plain language, states that the Election Committee announces the election results, not the election contractor, and lays out the process for the committee to attest those results prior to any public announcement by the committee.

Why does the Board of Directors tolerate an Election Committee chairman who is not familiar with the board resolution governing elections?

Association members fought for years to obtain transparency in the election process. Ransdell wants to eliminate that transparency.

Fortunately, Election Committee board liaison John Latham told Ransdell there is "no interest" at the board level in making the change Ransdell desires. Ransdell then continued to argue with Latham, insisting Latham get the board involved.

Latham also suggested Ransdell allow public comments from internet viewers, since the location of the committee meeting was never announced. Difficult to attend a meeting if the location is unknown. Ransdell said something like - if that's what you want. Apparently, Ransdell did not even realize it was his decision as chair, not Latham's.

At any rate, Ransdell allowed association member Amy Peck to make a public comment. Peck expressed concern that the Election Committee had held many unannounced meetings, as well as the lack of minutes for those meetings. Those concerns are justified, and should concern every association member, as those meetings may well have violated the Maryland HOA Act.

Ransdell ignored the issue she raised.