January 28, 2021
This year the Oakland Mills Community Association is planning to hold an all MAIL-IN ballot election due to the ongoing pandemic and concern for the continued safety of all residents, volunteers, and staff.
*Please see information on non-contested races below.
IMPORTANT DATES ~ For those who are considering candidacy for an Oakland Mills Village Board Seat (7 seats) or for the Columbia Council seat (1 seat) from Oakland Mills (CA Board)
Tuesday Feb. 16 through Friday, March 12
Candidate Packets will be posted on the Oakland Mills website and can be viewed and downloaded. For those interested in running but unable to download a candidate packet arrangements can be made to obtain a hard copy. Please email the Village Manager, Sandy Cederbaum, to make arrangements to obtain a hard copy.
Candidates who would like to run for either the OMCA Board or as the Columbia Council Rep. (CA Board) must submit a nomination petition on or before March 12 at 4:00 p.m. Information regarding nomination petitions including e-nomination petitions and nomination petition submission information is included in the candidate packet.
Monday, March 1, 6:30 p.m.
A virtual candidate information session will be held. A link will be published in advance of the session.
Friday March 12, 4:00 p.m.
Candidate Nomination Petition return deadline. Refer to the candidate packet for submission details.
Monday, March 16, Candidate statements due.
Late March/Early April - an election mailer including a ballot and postage paid envelope will be mailed to every property in Oakland Mills including all single family homes, quad homes, townhouses, condominiums, and apartments.
Tuesday April 2, 7:00 p.m.
A virtual candidate forum will be held. Details and link will be published in advance of the forum.
Saturday April 24 - Oakland Mills Election Day! All valid mail-in ballots postmarked on or before April 24 will be counted. Please note that we will accept all ballots postmarked on or before April 24 until mail delivery on April 30, 2021. We encourage residents to return mail-in ballots early.
*Non-Contested Races: The Oakland Mills By-Law amendment states that if the race for the OM Board or the race for CCR is uncontested then those qualified candidates (valid nomination petition) are deemed elected and begin their term on May 1. There are 7 seats for the OM Board and 1 seat for the Columbia Council Rep. An election will be held if either or both the Board or CCR race is contested.
Oakland Mills Board ~ Roles and Responsibilities
Whether you choose to run for a village board seat or for the Columbia Council seat (CA Board) you become part of a grassroots process to make a difference in your community. With this comes an obligation to uphold the village's legal and fiduciary responsibilities as board members. Each role also comes with a commitment of time to be involved in Oakland Mills, Columbia, and Howard County meetings, events, and programs. Along with all of the obligations and responsibilities are the rewards of serving your community. OM Board Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. It is expected that Board members attend these meetings. In addition board members chair and or serve on various board committees. Committee meetings are held throughout the year.
Covenant Compliance ~ What does this mean?
(Amendment to the Oakland Mills Community Association By-Laws, Article II, Board of Directors, Section 2.03 Election of Directors. Approved April 17, 1999)
2.03A. In order to serve on the Village Board, candidate's owning property in Oakland Mills must, upon election, obtain a Certificate of Compliance within 60 days.
Covenant compliance pertains to properties in Oakland Mills being in compliance with Village Architectural Covenants. (Candidate packets include village legal documents for your reference.) All candidates will receive details regarding Board Member Covenant Compliance and implementation procedures in the candidate packet. Each candidate for the Board will have his/her property inspected between April 1st and April 20th to provide ample time for those elected to comply with the Covenant Compliance Policy.
Please contact Sandy Cederbaum, Village Manager,
Who is "in charge" of the Elections? Who can I call/email/meet with?
The Village elections are administered by the Oakland Mills Election Monitor Committee (EMC). The committee is comprised of OM residents. We are fortunate in Oakland Mills to have dedicated committee members, many of whom have volunteered for the EMC for 40+ years. We always welcome newcomers!
Our Election Monitor Committee Co-Chairs are Bob Berlett and Bob Bartolo.
Please feel free to contact either "Bob" with any questions you have.
Bob Bartolo: bobsadj@aol.com
Potential Candidates for CA Board of Directors Invited to Information Sessions
We encourage you to consider running for the OM Board or CA Board Representative from Oakland Mills. Minutes from past board meetings as well as board member contact information are posted on the Oakland Mills website.
Please refer to the "contact us" page and contact us!
