Proxy Voting
Proxy voting is a form of voting
whereby some members of a decision-making body may delegate their
voting power to other members of the same body to vote in their absence,
and/or to select additional representatives. A person so designated is
called a "proxy" and the person designating him or her is called a
"principal". Proxy appointments can be used to form a voting bloc that can exercise greater influence in deliberations or negotiations.
An International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences paper noted
that proxy voting might be particularly useful in situations in which
votes are cast as the discussion is ongoing (rather than at the end of a
period of discussion).
[2][full citation needed] Proxy voting is also an important feature in corporate governance through the proxy statement.
Legislatures
The rules of some assemblies presently forbid proxy voting. For example,
in both houses of the U.S. Congress, as well as in most if not all
state legislatures, each member must be present and cast his own vote
for that vote to be counted. This can result, however, in the absence of
a quorum and the need to compel attendance by a sufficient number of
missing members to get a quorum. See call of the house.
The Parliament of New Zealand allows proxy voting. Sections 155-156 of the Standing Orders of the New Zealand House of Representatives
specify the procedures for doing so. A member can designate another
member or a party to cast his vote. However, a party may not exercise
proxies for more than 25% of its members (rounded upwards).
[5] The
New Zealand Listener notes a controversial occurrence of proxy voting. The Labour Party was allowed to cast votes on behalf of Taito Phillip Field,
who was frequently absent. Theoretically, this was to be allowed only
if a legislator was absent on parliamentary business, public business or
pressi
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