What is the purpose of the community poll?

The poll is an expression of opinion sought by the SMCA Board to inform its decision about: 1) whether to proceed, in collaboration with the property owners, in removing the images of Confederate general “Stonewall” Jackson on the front walls and 2) whether to develop an action plan to re-name the subdivision (to be determined with community input).

The poll is not legally binding in and of itself because SMCA is not a Homeowners Association (HOA). It will provide the community and the SMCA Board a sense of the prevailing majority sentiment about how households wish to resolve these two important issues.

How can I get help with eBallot?

For assistance with the paper ballot or voting online, please call Votenet Solutions at 1-866-984-3125 between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET or email help@eballot.com. All messages will be returned within a business day. Please identify yourself with your full name and address.

Who can participate in the poll?

All subdivision households may only respond once. Polls may only be completed by homeowners, given that issues like the subdivision’s name could have implications for property values, etc. However, homeowners who have renters living in their homes may grant permission to their renters to respond on their behalf if they wish to do so.

Have the homeowners where the front walls are located been consulted?

As was stated at the annual SMCA meeting, one owner has provided a written statement noting that they support the removal of the image of Jackson from the wall on their property as long as it is done professionally. The other homeowner has said that they plan to vote on both topics to be included on the referendum, along with the rest of the community and said that they will cooperate with efforts to change the image if that is the majority sentiment from the poll. The SMCA and SMCA Board fully respect private property rights and acknowledge that poll results are NOT a mandate to violate such rights or to intervene on the property of homeowners without their consent.

What are the implications of a poll for a neighborhood name?

Poll results that indicate a majority favoring change would direct the SMCA Board to engage in further conversations with the County about possible options to change the name of the subdivision. If so desired by a majority of respondents, a new name for the subdivision would be selected at a later time. The SMCA Board has yet to determine a name selection process, and will seek community input and ideas. The County has indicated that if the subdivision name is changed, no change to legal documents (e.g., deeds) would be needed by current homeowners and that an updated subdivision name would be documented by the County on the deed of a home at the time of a home’s sale. There is no cost to homeowners or residents for that process.

How much would possible changes to the walls cost?

Households would incur no personal/individual costs associated with either removal of the Confederate images/medallions or a neighborhood name change. Services to remove the wall medallions and/or pursue a change in the name of the subdivision would be provided pro bono and/or supported through private donations.

What is the threshold for the vote needed to determine the outcome on either item?

Every home in the subdivision will have an opportunity to participate in the community-wide poll. A simple majority (≥51%) of those responding online or via paper ballot by the deadline will determine the outcome of the community poll on each item.

Is this poll about street name changes?

No. Neither poll question addresses street name changes.

If I wish to respond “no” should I just not mail back my poll ballot?

If you wish to respond negatively for either poll question, you must indicate “no” on the poll items. If you wish to respond positively, indicate “yes” on the items. Not mailing in your poll is the same as in any general election, poll, or survey--a response not cast is a response that is not counted in the poll and therefore would not impact the majority outcome of the poll.

Why is the SMCA using a private polling company?

The SMCA Board voted to allocate funding for a private polling company to ensure transparency, confidentiality, and an opportunity for all homeowners to participate. The SMCA is paying extra in order to provide paper, mail-in ballots and an online system in order to maximize participation and accommodate all neighbors’ circumstances.

What is the deadline for submitting our poll?

Poll responses must either be postmarked or submitted online by SEPT 8, 11:59PM in order to be counted.

How will we learn the results of the poll?

The SMCA Board will notify the community of the results after the private polling company tabulates the results and shares the outcome with the Board.