what is a proxy vote 
the term proxy vote refers to a ballot cast by a single person or firm on behalf of a corporation s shareholder who may not be able to attend a shareholder meeting or who may not choose to vote on a particular issue shareholders receive a proxy ballot in the mail along with an information booklet called a proxy statement which describes the issues to be voted on during the meeting shareholders vote on a variety of issues including the election of board members merger or acquisition approvals or approving a stock compensation plan registered investment management companies may also cast proxy votes on behalf of mutual fund shareholders or high net worth investors in separately managed accounts 