When you buy shares of a publicly traded company, you become a shareholder and have a stake in the company’s ownership. As a shareholder, you have certain rights, including the right to vote on important matters that affect the company’s future. However, with the rise of modern corporations, it can be difficult for every shareholder to attend every meeting. That’s where proxies come in. A proxy is a person or organization appointed by a shareholder to vote on their behalf at a company’s annual or special meeting. A proxy can be a family member, friend, financial advisor, or even a professional proxy solicitation firm. The appointment of a proxy is usually done through a proxy statement, which is sent to shareholders prior to the meeting. Shareholder voting allows shareholders to make important decisions about the company’s future, such as electing board members, approving executive compensation, and making changes to the company’s bylaws. Each share typically carries one vote, although some companies may have different classes of shares with different voting rights. Shareholders can vote in person at the annual or special meeting, or they can