(1) Unless the articles of incorporation specifically prohibit the adoption of a bylaw pursuant to this section, alter the vote specified in s. 607.0728(1), or provide for cumulative voting, a corporation may elect in its bylaws to be governed in the election of directors as follows:

(a) Each vote entitled to be cast may be voted for or against up to the number of candidates that is equal to the number of directors to be elected, or a shareholder may indicate an abstention, but without cumulating the votes;

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 607.1023

  • Articles of incorporation: includes original, amended, and restated articles of incorporation, articles of share exchange, and articles of merger, and all amendments thereto. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Individual: includes the estate of an incompetent or deceased individual. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • Shareholder: means a record shareholder. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Shares: means the units into which the proprietary interests in a corporation are divided. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
  • Voting group: means all shares of one or more classes or series that under the articles of incorporation or this chapter are entitled to vote and be counted together collectively on a matter at a meeting of shareholders. See Florida Statutes 607.01401
(b) To be elected, a nominee must have received a plurality of the votes cast by holders of shares entitled to vote in the election at a meeting at which a quorum is present, provided that a nominee who is elected but receives more votes against than for election shall serve as a director for a term that shall terminate on the date that is the earlier of 90 days from the date on which the voting results are determined pursuant to s. 607.0729(2)(e) or the date on which an individual is selected by the board of directors to fill the office held by such director, which selection shall be deemed to constitute the filling of a vacancy by the board to which s. 607.0809 applies. Subject to paragraph (c), a nominee who is elected but receives more votes against than for election shall not serve as a director beyond the 90-day period referenced above; and
(c) The board of directors may select any qualified individual to fill the office held by a director who received more votes against than for election.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an election of directors by a voting group if:

(a) At the expiration of the time fixed under a provision requiring advance notification of director candidates; or
(b) Absent such a provision, at a time fixed by the board of directors which is not more than 14 days before notice is given of the meeting at which the election is to occur,

there are more candidates for election by the voting group than the number of directors to be elected, one or more of whom are properly proposed by shareholders. An individual shall not be considered a candidate for purposes of this subsection if the board of directors determines before the notice of meeting is given that such individual’s candidacy does not create a bona fide election contest.

(3) A bylaw electing to be governed by this section may be repealed:

(a) If originally adopted by the shareholders, only by the shareholders, unless the bylaw otherwise provides; or
(b) If adopted by the board of directors, by the board of directors or the shareholders.
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