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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 5Ch. 5§ 14821 Credit Union Proxy Voting Rules

§ 14821 Credit Union Proxy Voting Rules

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 14821 Credit Union Proxy Voting Rules

This law says credit unions must give members clear voting options on proxies or ballots, and can't vote a 'withheld' vote in director elections. It also requires yearly reminders for long-term proxies.

Key Takeaways

  • •Credit unions must give clear 'yes' or 'no' options for each voting issue on proxies or ballots.
  • •If a member writes 'withhold' for a director, it doesn’t count as a vote for or against them.
  • •For proxies that last 3 years, the credit union must send a reminder every year about what the proxy covers.
  • •If the credit union messes up, the vote still counts, but members can challenge it in court.

Example

A credit union sends out a ballot for members to vote on new board members and a proposal to build a new branch.

The ballot must let members vote 'yes' or 'no' on each issue separately. If a member writes 'withhold' for a board member, the credit union can't count that as a vote for or against them. If the proxy is good for 3 years, the credit union must remind the member every year what they’re voting on.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 14821 Credit Union Proxy Voting Rules

(a) Except for solicited proxies which on their face provide for a period of validity of three years from the date of execution of the proxy, any form of proxy or written ballot distributed to 10 or more members of a credit union shall afford an opportunity on the proxy or form of written ballot to specify at the time the written ballot or proxy is distributed, a choice between approval and disapproval of each matter or group of related matters intended to be acted upon at the meeting for which the proxy is solicited or by such written ballot, and shall provide, subject to reasonable specified conditions, that where the person solicited specifies a choice with respect to any such matter the vote shall be cast in accordance therewith. (b) In any election of directors, any form of proxy or written ballot in which the directors to be voted upon are named therein as candidates and which is marked by a member “withhold” or otherwise marked in a manner indicating that the authority to vote for the election of directors is withheld, shall not be voted either for or against the election of a director. (c) In the case of any solicited proxy which on its face provides for a period of validity of three years from the date of execution of the proxy, the credit union shall provide to the person executing the proxy a written notice at the time of solicitation and in each succeeding year of validity thereof, which shall advise the member of the nature of each matter or group of related matters on which the proxy may be voted. Notice pursuant to this subdivision may be sent with notice to the members of the date, time, and place of the annual meeting. (d) Failure to comply with this section shall not invalidate any corporate action taken, but may be the basis for challenging any proxy at a meeting or written ballot and the superior court may compel compliance therewith at the suit of any member. (Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1045, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

proxywritten ballotapproval and disapprovalwithholdcorporate action

Related Statutes

  • § 14820 Credit Union Proxy Rules
  • § 14822 Credit Union Proxy Voting
  • § 100025 Debt Collection Advisory Committee
  • § 1100 Bank Purpose Statements
  • § 1101 Bank Assessment Provision Repeal

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 14821.
View Official Source