Celebrating Alabama's most inspiring communities.

Official Rules

2026 Best of Alabama Communities Awards

1. Eligibility

Any homeowner association or condominium community located in Alabama may participate. CAI membership is not required. Communities must be active residential associations and must submit complete, accurate information.

2. Who May Nominate

Anyone may submit a nomination, including homeowners, residents, board members, community association managers, business partners, volunteers, and other community supporters. A nominator is not required to know every detail. An authorized board member or community manager may review, complete, and confirm the entry before it is approved for the public ballot.

3. Categories

Each community is entered in one Regional People’s Choice Award based on its location. The regional entry includes a general community description and an explanation of why residents love living there. A community may also request consideration for the Community Spirit & Engagement Award, the Innovative Community Project Award, or both Statewide Excellence Awards. Each statewide entry must include a clear title and a complete description focused on one specific initiative, program, tradition, campaign, project, improvement, or coordinated activity series.

4. Regional and Statewide Selection

Regional winners are determined by public vote. Statewide Excellence Award winners are selected by an independent review committee using five scoring areas related to purpose and relevance, participation or planning, connection or innovation, impact and results, and lasting value. A community may receive only one award in a program year. If a community is top-ranked in more than one category, the independent review committee will determine the award for which it is most appropriately recognized, and the next highest-ranked eligible community will be considered for the remaining category or categories. This process is intended to recognize six different communities.

5. Submission Review

All nominations are reviewed before publication. CAI Alabama may request clarification or additional information and may edit submissions for spelling, grammar, formatting, length, and clarity while preserving the nomination's intent.

A community may be listed publicly by name, city, and region after a nomination is received. To receive a full public profile and be included on the voting ballot, the nomination must be complete, confirmed by an authorized board member or community manager, and approved by CAI Alabama before voting opens.

6. Duplicate Nominations

Duplicate nominations are not necessary. CAI Alabama may combine duplicate submissions, select the most complete submission, or contact nominators for additional details.

7. Photos, Media, and Community Approval

Residents and other supporters may nominate a community without certifying that they are authorized to act for it. Before a full profile is published or the community is placed on the ballot, an authorized board member or community association manager must confirm that the community is an eligible residential Alabama HOA or condominium association, approve participation, verify the final information, and authorize CAI Alabama to use approved public-profile content and media for the awards and related promotion.

Nominators should upload only photos, documents, or media they are permitted to share. CAI Alabama may remove or replace media during review.

8. Public Voting

Public voting is limited to one ballot per person. Voters may vote in one or more regional categories, with no more than one selection per region. A valid name and email address are required to verify participation. CAI Alabama may investigate and remove votes reasonably believed to be fraudulent, automated, duplicated, manipulated, or otherwise inconsistent with the spirit of the program.

9. Ties and Final Decisions

In the event of a regional voting tie, CAI Alabama may use a runoff vote or an independent review process to determine the winner. All eligibility, voting, judging, and award decisions are final.

10. Recognition and Attendance

Approved nominated communities may be featured through the awards website and CAI Alabama communications. All approved nominated communities are eligible to attend the CAI Alabama Annual Awards Luncheon as described below. Winners are not notified in advance.

11. Program Changes

CAI Alabama reserves the right to modify deadlines, categories, procedures, prizes, or program details; disqualify submissions; or suspend or cancel the program if circumstances require.

12. Awards Luncheon and Winner Announcement

All approved nominated communities are invited to attend the CAI Alabama Annual Awards Luncheon on November 12, 2026, at Huntsville Botanical Gardens. RSVP is required. Two complimentary luncheon tickets are included per nominated community, and additional tickets may be purchased. Winners will be announced live at the luncheon and will not be notified in advance. View luncheon details and RSVP information.

13. Privacy

Contact information is collected to administer the awards, communicate with nominators and community representatives, request additional information, and provide luncheon and recognition details. Voter names, email addresses, and selections are kept private and are reviewed only when needed to protect the integrity of the program or investigate possible duplicate, manipulated, automated, or fraudulent voting. Optional marketing communications are sent only when selected by the submitter.