If you own shares on proxyvote com in a public company, you have probably received an envelope or an email asking you to vote on something you may not fully understand. Board elections, executive pay, and shareholder proposals all land on your desk at once. The good news is that most of this voting happens through one website, and it takes only a few minutes once you know what to expect.
This guide explains what ProxyVote com is, how to find your control number, how to vote step by step, and what to do when things go wrong. It also covers the common questions shareholders ask, like whether you can vote without signing in and where to find meeting results after the vote closes.
What Is ProxyVote com?
ProxyVote com is the official online voting site used by many public companies, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds to collect shareholder votes. You will also see it written as proxyvote com or ProxyVote, and they all refer to the same place.
The platform is operated by Broadridge Financial Solutions, a company that handles proxy distribution and vote processing for thousands of organizations. When a company hires Broadridge to manage its shareholder meeting, the notices, proxy cards, and voting links you receive usually point to proxyvote.com.
Who Uses the Platform
Companies that hold annual or special shareholder meetings use the site to gather votes from people who cannot attend in person. Fund companies also use it so that investors can vote on matters affecting the funds they hold. In many cases, your brokerage forwards your voting rights to Broadridge, and the site is where you actually cast them.
Why It Matters to Everyday Investors
Voting is one of the few direct ways shareholders can influence a company. Votes can decide who sits on the board, whether executive pay gets approved, and whether shareholder proposals on topics like climate reporting or political spending move forward. Even a small investor’s vote adds to the total, especially when turnout is low.
What You Need Before You Vote
Before you open the site, gather a few items. Having them ready saves time and prevents errors.
Keep your proxy card, voting instruction form, or email notice nearby. Each one contains the details that tie your vote to your account. You will also want the meeting date, since the voting deadline is always tied to it.
Finding Your Control Number
Your control number is the most important piece of information in the process. It is a unique code that proves you are the owner of the shares you are voting.
Most control numbers are 16 digits long. You can usually find it in a few places:
- On your paper proxy card, next to the label “Control Number”
- On a voting instruction form from your broker or bank
- In the body of the email if you chose electronic delivery of materials
- On the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which some companies mail in place of a full packet
Some older or fund-related materials use a 12-digit number instead. If your code has 12 digits, check the instructions in your materials, since some companies direct those shareholders to a slightly different web address or phone line.
What If You Lost Your Control Number
Losing the control number can feel stressful, but you still have options. Start by checking your mail and email for the proxy materials. If you hold shares through a brokerage, log in to your account and look for the proxy voting section, since many brokers display the control number there.
If you still cannot find it, call the phone number printed on your materials or contact the investor relations team at the company. Broadridge also offers a support line for voting questions, and its representatives can often verify your account using your name, address, and holdings.
How to Vote on ProxyVote com Step by Step
Once you have your control number, voting takes only a few minutes. The process looks similar for most meetings, although the exact questions will change from one company to the next.
Entering Your Control Number
Go to www.proxyvote.com and look for the box labeled for your control number. Type the number exactly as it appears, without spaces or dashes. Then select the button to continue.
If the number is not accepted, check each digit against your materials. A common mistake is confusing the number with the account number from your brokerage, which will not work.
Reviewing the Proposals
After you enter the control number, the site shows the items up for a vote. Each proposal has a short description and a set of choices, usually For, Against, or Abstain.
Take a few minutes to read the board’s recommendation for each item. Most companies show it next to the proposal. You can follow that recommendation, or you can decide differently based on your own research. The full details appear in the proxy statement, which the site links to.
Casting and Confirming Your Vote
Select your choice for each proposal, then review the summary page before you submit. This page is your last chance to catch a mistake.
Once you submit, look for a confirmation message on the screen. Many people also receive a confirmation email. Save a screenshot or print the page, especially if you are voting close to the deadline.
Changing a Vote
You can usually change your vote before the deadline. Return to the site, enter your control number again, and submit new choices. The most recent vote generally counts. If you are unsure whether the change took effect, check the review page or call the support line listed in your materials.
Can You Vote Without Signing In or Creating an Account?
Yes, in most cases you can vote without creating an account. The control number is the key that unlocks your ballot, so a separate login is not required for casting a vote.
Some features, like viewing past meetings, saving delivery preferences, or submitting questions to a company, may ask you to sign in with your control number. Those steps are optional if your only goal is to vote.
Voting Without a Control Number
If you do not have a control number, the official route is to contact the company’s proxy solicitor or Broadridge directly. Representatives can help verify your identity and holdings before they take your vote over the phone.
Be cautious with anyone who asks for your full Social Security number, bank login, or payment to “reserve” your vote. Legitimate proxy voting never requires payment, and you should never share passwords with anyone who calls you unexpectedly.
Accessing Proxy Materials Online
Proxy materials include the proxy statement, annual report, and any related forms. They explain each proposal in detail, including the background on board nominees and the reasons behind shareholder proposals.
Many companies post these materials online, and the voting site links to them. This approach is called notice and access, and it lets companies send a short notice by mail while the full documents stay online. If you prefer paper, look for the option to request printed materials on the site or in your notice.
Setting Delivery Preferences
Some shareholders want to receive everything by email, while others prefer mail. Delivery settings are usually found in the account section of your brokerage, but some companies also allow changes through the voting site. Switching to electronic delivery can save paper, and you can often switch back at any time.
Voting by Phone, Mail, or Mobile Device
ProxyVote.com is the most convenient option for most people, but it is not your only choice. Many companies also offer an automated phone line, which is printed on your materials. You enter your control number using the keypad and follow the prompts.
If you prefer paper, mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope. Make sure the card arrives before the deadline, since mail can take several days.
The site works on phones and tablets through a web browser. Broadridge has also offered mobile-friendly tools over time, but you should check your materials for any specific app link before downloading anything. Searching the app store for “ProxyVote” can bring up unrelated apps, so stick to official links from your company or broker.
Checking Meeting Results
After the meeting, you will want to know how the votes turned out. Companies usually file the final results with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a form called an 8-K, typically within four business days of the meeting. You can search for these filings on the SEC’s EDGAR database or on the company’s investor relations page.
On the voting site itself, you may see past meetings and final results for proposals you voted on. Availability depends on the company, so the investor relations page is often the more reliable source.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most voting problems come from a handful of predictable errors. Here are the ones that cause the most trouble.
- Waiting until the last day. Deadlines are usually set for late evening Eastern Time the day before the meeting. Websites and phone lines can slow down near the cutoff.
- Using the wrong number. Your brokerage account number and your control number are different. Only the control number works on the voting site.
- Forgetting to submit. Some people review their choices and then close the window. Always look for the confirmation message.
- Voting twice by accident. Voting online and mailing a card can create confusion. Most companies count the latest vote, but it is safer to pick one method.
- Ignoring the email. Electronic delivery emails often include the control number and a direct link. Check your spam folder if you cannot find the message.
Tips for a Smooth Voting Experience
A few habits make the process easier every year.
Set a calendar reminder a week before the meeting date. Keep your control number in a password manager or a saved note so you can find it quickly. If you own shares in several companies, vote for each one separately, since each meeting has its own ballot and deadline.
Read the proxy statement for any proposal you do not understand. It often explains the issue in plain language, and the board’s recommendation gives you a starting point.
If you hold shares through a fund, your vote may be cast on your behalf based on the fund’s policies. Some funds let investors vote directly, so check your fund’s materials to see what options you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
ProxyVote com can look intimidating the first time you use it, but the process is straightforward once you know where to find your control number and what each step does. Most shareholders can vote in under ten minutes.
Take the time to read the proposals, and do not wait until the deadline is close. Your vote is one of the few direct ways to shape the companies you invest in, and making it count starts with a few simple steps.
Source links (for your reference, not for the article body):
- Broadridge ProxyVote instructions in SEC DEFA14A filings, for example the Barings and KraneShares proxy materials (sec.gov and ir.barings.com)
- SoFi Technologies 2025 proxy statement, for the 16-digit and 12-digit control number guidance and the 11:59 p.m. Eastern deadline (investors.sofi.com)
- Wikipedia external link for the article, placed in the “What Is ProxyVote.com?” section: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadridge_Financial_Solutions