Which ballot measures are considered “routine” or “non-routine?”
Proposal No. 1, Proposal No. 3, Proposal No. 4, Proposal No. 5, Proposal No. 6 and Proposal No. 7 are considered “non-routine” under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on non-routine matters, and therefore there will be broker non-votes on Proposal No. 1, Proposal No. 3, Proposal No. 4, Proposal No. 5, Proposal No. 6 and Proposal No. 7.
Proposal No. 2, the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025, is considered “routine” under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected to exist in connection with Proposal No. 2.
How many votes are needed to approve the proposal?
With respect to Proposal No. 1, directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast. This means that each of the two individuals nominated for election to the Board will be elected as a director if he or she receives a majority of votes cast (that is, the number of votes cast “for” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that nominee). Our Corporate Governance Policy provides that any incumbent director who fails to receive the required number of votes for re-election is expected to immediately tender his or her resignation, and the nominating and corporate governance committee of our Board of Directors will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. Taking into account the recommendation of the nominating and corporate governance committee, the Board will determine whether to accept or reject any such resignation, or what other action should be taken, within 90 days from the certification of election results.
With respect to Proposal No. 2 and Proposal No. 3, the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast affirmatively or negatively is required for approval.
With respect to Proposal No. 4, Proposal No. 5, Proposal No. 6 and Proposal No. 7, the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all outstanding securities of the Company generally entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required for approval.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.
What if I return a Proxy Card but do not make specific choices?
If we receive a signed and dated Proxy Card and the Proxy Card does not specify how your shares are to be voted, your shares will be voted “For” the election of each of the two nominees for director, “For” the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, “For” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, “For” the approval of an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to eliminate supermajority voting provisions, “For” the approval of an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to limit liability of officers as permitted by Delaware law, “For” the approval of an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to add a federal forum selection provision, and “For” the approval of an amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to eliminate inoperative provisions and implement certain other miscellaneous amendments. If any other matter is properly presented at the Annual Meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your Proxy Card) will vote your shares in his or her discretion.
What does it mean if I receive more than one set of materials?
If you receive more than one set of materials, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. In order to vote all the shares you own, you must either sign and return all of the Proxy Cards or follow the instructions for any alternative voting procedure on each of the Proxy Cards.
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