The Sun City West Governing Board voted unanimously Nov. 20 to place revisions to Bylaws Article 3 (owner/member election meetings) and Article 4 (Governing Board) on the March 30, 2026 community ballot. The board’s action sends the revisions to all owner members for a community-wide vote rather than adopting them at the meeting.

Board President Christine Novello said the changes reflected the workshop discussion and a pair of small edits from legal counsel. "Our legal counsel did make a couple of small changes. You can see those highlighted in blue," Novello said when outlining the amendments. One prominent edit clarifies what the association will treat as an absentee ballot; another removes repeated references to a "written ballot" and, in one sentence, explicitly states that electronic voting will be deemed to constitute a written ballot for bylaw purposes.

The electronic-voting sentence prompted questions. Director Graham asked whether the explicit electronic-voting clause was still necessary after the board removed the word "written" elsewhere. Novello said counsel recommended keeping that sentence to align with state statute. "There's no harm in it," she said in response to the question.

The Article 4 revisions also add language requiring that results and voting materials be stored; Novello noted the change was highlighted for directors to review. Director Ratacora raised a related concern during discussion about whether wording that allows the use of "selected election services of Maricopa County" could conflict with other sections calling for selection of an external independent provider. Staff responded that Maricopa County would be considered an external provider if its services are available, but availability and cost may make it a last-resort option.

Directors then conducted a roll-call affirmation and approved both items for the March 30 ballot. Novello stressed that the board is asking the membership to approve the changes, not implementing them without the community vote. The vote to include Article 3 and Article 4 on the ballot passed unanimously.

The next procedural milestone is the community ballot on March 30, 2026, when all owner members in good standing will have the opportunity to cast votes on the proposed bylaw revisions.