cumulative voting business definition

A type of corporate voting right in which a stockholder receives one vote per owned share times the number of directors' positions up for election. The stockholder may allocate votes among the different positions as he or she wishes. For example, an owner of 200 shares is permitted a total of 1,200 votes if six positions are to be voted on. These 1,200 votes may be cast for a single director, may be split between two directors, or may be allocated equally among all six directors. Cumulative voting, making it easier for smaller interest groups to be represented, is required by some states. Compare majority voting.