Statement on new balloting for 2021 Board of Directors Election

(Oct. 8, 2021) This explanation statement will also be included with the ballot mailing to eligible voters:
 
On September 30, 2021, the Ocean Pines’ Board of Directors voted to redo the balloting of the 2021 Board of Directors election to allow OPA’s Members to vote on the three candidates who have been deemed eligible to be a candidate for election to the Board of Directors.  
 
As many of you may be aware, in late July 2021, after election voting commenced, the Ocean Pines’ Secretary determined that one of the then candidates, Richard (Rick) Farr, was ineligible to be a candidate for election to the Board of Directors based on the qualification requirements contained in Section 5.02(a) of the Bylaws. Based on this determination, the Board of Directors previously voted to proceed with the election, but deem the votes for Mr. Farr as invalid. 
 
Approximately one week later, and prior to the conclusion of the election, Mr. Farr filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Worcester County, Maryland, challenging the decision on his eligibility and the Board’s subsequent decision to move ahead with the election. Thereafter, several OPA Members joined Mr. Farr’s lawsuit, asserting the disenfranchisement of their votes. Beyond those participating in the lawsuit, a number of other Members have expressed their feelings that the ballot voting should be held anew to allow all Members the opportunity to vote on the three eligible candidates. 
 
Given the above considerations, on September 30, 2021, the Board of Directors decided it was in the best interest of OPA to proceed with allowing the Members the opportunity to cast their election ballots anew. Hence, the Election Committee has issued a new ballot with the three candidates deemed eligible for your consideration and submission. 
 
For your vote to count, you must cast the new ballot you received listing only three candidates and you must vote for no more than two candidates. 
 
OPA will retain, in a secure location, the ballots cast this summer pending the outcome of the lawsuit. But, these previously cast ballots will not be counted in this new balloting. Only the newly issued ballots listing three candidates will be counted as part of this process. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the Board of Directors.  
 
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.