Summary Box: SEC reviewing shareholder voting process; may change rules

Summary Box: SEC reviews proxy process

PROXY PROCESS PROBED: Federal regulators are reviewing the process by which public company shareholders exercise their votes and say they may change the rules to make the system more transparent.

RAISING QUESTIONS: The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a document raising questions about the corporate proxy system and seeking public comment on it. Questions include whether some practices by professional investors can improperly influence voting results.

WHY IT MATTERS: More than 600 billion shares are voted each year, and the proxy system is considered important yet outdated.