As a shareholder with ETRADE, you have the right to participate in important corporate decisions by casting your vote. This process, known as proxy voting, allows you to have a say in matters ranging from electing board members to approving executive compensation and significant corporate actions like mergers and acquisitions. Even if you can't attend shareholder meetings in person, ETRADE makes it easy to exercise your voting rights.
Ready to make your voice heard? Let's dive into the step-by-step process of how to proxy vote on E*TRADE!
How to Proxy Vote on E*TRADE: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Identify Your Proxy Materials – Where to Find What You Need!
The first step in proxy voting is recognizing that a company is seeking your input. This typically happens during "proxy season," which is usually in the spring, leading up to a company's Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Email Notifications: E*TRADE, like many brokers, often sends out email notifications when proxy materials become available for companies you hold shares in. Keep a close eye on your inbox (and even your spam folder!) for emails from senders like "id@proxyvote.com" or similar addresses. These emails are your primary alert.
Physical Mail: For some shareholders, especially if you haven't opted for electronic delivery, you might receive physical mail containing proxy materials. This package will usually include:
Annual Report: A detailed overview of the company's financial performance.
Proxy Statement: This is a crucial document that describes the issues to be voted on at the meeting, including proposals from the board and sometimes from other shareholders.
Proxy Card/Voter Instruction Form: This form contains your unique 16-digit control number and the voting instructions.
Make sure to review these documents carefully to understand the proposals and their potential impact on your investment.
Step 2: Locate Your Control Number – Your Digital Key to Voting
Your control number is absolutely essential for online proxy voting. It's a unique identifier that links your shares to your voting rights.
In Email: If you receive an email notification, your control number will typically be clearly displayed within the email body, often next to a field labeled "Control Number."
On Physical Proxy Card: If you receive materials via postal mail, look for the 16-digit control number on your proxy card or voter instruction form. It might be in a designated box or highlighted.
Without this control number, you won't be able to cast your vote online. If you can't find it, consider contacting E*TRADE customer support (more on this later).
Step 3: Access the Proxy Voting Website – Where Your Vote Takes Shape
Once you have your control number, you're ready to navigate to the proxy voting platform.
Direct Link in Email: Often, the email notification you receive will contain a direct link to the proxy voting website, which is commonly ProxyVote.com, powered by Broadridge. Clicking this link will take you directly to the voting portal.
Manual Navigation to ProxyVote.com: If you don't have a direct link, or prefer to navigate manually, open your web browser and go to
www.proxyvote.com.
Step 4: Enter Your Control Number and Begin Voting – Making Your Choices
Upon arriving at the proxy voting website:
Input Control Number: You will see a prominent field asking for your control number. Carefully enter the 16-digit number you located in Step 2.
Security Checks: The website may ask for additional verification, such as enabling JavaScript and cookies in your web browser settings to ensure a secure session.
Review Proposals: Once authenticated, you will be presented with a list of proposals that require your vote. These typically include:
Election of Directors: You'll vote on who should serve on the company's board.
Executive Compensation: "Say-on-pay" votes allow you to voice your opinion on executive salaries and bonuses.
Shareholder Proposals: These are proposals put forth by other shareholders on various corporate governance or social responsibility issues.
Audit Matters: Approving auditors and their fees.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Voting on significant company changes.
Cast Your Vote: For each proposal, you'll generally have options such as:
"For": You agree with the proposal.
"Against": You disagree with the proposal.
"Abstain": You choose not to vote on the proposal.
"Withhold": Often used for director elections when you don't wish to vote for a particular nominee.
Read each proposal carefully before making your selection. Consider how each vote aligns with your investment goals and beliefs about the company's future.
Step 5: Submit Your Vote – Confirming Your Decision
After making your selections for all proposals:
Review Your Choices: Before finalizing, take a moment to review all your votes to ensure they reflect your intentions.
Confirm Submission: Look for a "Submit," "Confirm," or "Cast Vote" button. Clicking this will officially register your votes. You may receive a confirmation message or email after successful submission.
It's important to submit your vote before the stated deadline. The cutoff time is typically 24 hours before the actual shareholder meeting.
Step 6: Explore Alternative Voting Methods (If Needed) – Options Beyond Online
While online voting is the most common and convenient method, other options exist if you encounter issues or prefer a different approach:
Vote by Mail: If you received a physical proxy card, you can fill it out and mail it back using the provided return envelope. Ensure you mail it well in advance of the deadline to allow for postal delivery.
Vote by Phone: Your proxy materials will often include a toll-free number you can call to cast your vote by phone. You'll need your control number for this method as well.
Vote by QR Code: Some proxy materials may include a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone to directly access the voting website.
In-Person (Rare for Individual Investors): While technically possible, attending the annual general meeting in person to vote is generally not practical for most individual investors. If you wish to do so, you would typically need to request a legal proxy from E*TRADE.
Step 7: Monitor for Updates and Confirmations – Staying Informed
After casting your vote, it's a good practice to:
Check for Confirmation: Look for an email confirmation or a confirmation screen on the proxy voting website indicating that your vote was successfully received.
Review Company Announcements: Companies often release the results of shareholder votes after their AGMs. Keeping an eye on company news and investor relations sections can provide insights into the outcomes of the proposals you voted on.
Remember, your vote matters! As a shareholder, you have a direct stake in the company's success and governance. Proxy voting is your opportunity to influence those decisions.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to access my E*TRADE account for proxy voting?
You typically don't need to log into your E*TRADE brokerage account directly to proxy vote. Instead, you'll use a unique control number found in emails from id@proxyvote.com or on physical proxy materials to vote on the www.proxyvote.com website.
How to find my control number for E*TRADE proxy voting if I didn't receive an email?
Check your physical mail for proxy materials. If you still can't find it, contact E*TRADE customer support. They can assist you in retrieving your control number or guide you on how to vote.
How to vote if I hold shares in multiple companies through E*TRADE?
You will receive separate proxy voting materials (either emails or physical mail) for each company you hold voting shares in. Each company will have its own unique control number and set of proposals.
How to change my proxy vote after submitting it?
Yes, typically you can change your vote as long as it's done before the proxy voting deadline. Simply re-enter your control number on www.proxyvote.com and resubmit your updated choices. Your latest submission will override previous ones.
How to understand the proposals listed on the proxy statement?
The proxy statement provides detailed information about each proposal, including the board's recommendation and any supporting or opposing arguments. Read this document thoroughly to make informed decisions.
How to ensure my proxy vote is counted?
Ensure you submit your vote before the stated deadline and receive a confirmation of submission. Online voting typically provides immediate confirmation. If mailing, allow ample time for delivery.
How to get help if I have technical issues with proxyvote.com?
ProxyVote.com itself often has a help or FAQ section. If the issue persists, contact E*TRADE customer support, as they facilitate the proxy voting process for their clients.
How to opt for electronic delivery of proxy materials on E*TRADE?
You can usually update your communication preferences within your E*TRADE account settings or by contacting their customer service to opt for electronic delivery of proxy statements and other shareholder communications. This is often the most convenient method.
How to determine the proxy voting deadline for a specific company?
The proxy voting deadline will be clearly stated in the email notification or on the physical proxy materials you receive. It's usually 24 hours before the company's annual general meeting.
How to learn more about proxy voting in general?
Resources like Investopedia, Wikipedia, and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) websites offer comprehensive information on what proxy voting is, its importance, and corporate governance best practices.
