removal and could, by possibly reducing temporary fluctuations in market price caused by accumulations of shares of our common stock, deprive stockholders of opportunities to sell at a temporarily higher market price. Our board of directors believes, however, that these provisions may help assure fair treatment of our stockholders and preserve our assets.
Charter and Bylaws
Our charter and bylaws contain certain provisions, including the provisions described below, that may discourage certain types of transactions that involve an actual or threatened change of control of us. Since the terms of our charter and bylaws may differ from the general information we are providing, you should only rely on the actual provisions of our charter and bylaws. If you would like to read our charter or bylaws, they are on file as exhibits to documents we have filed with the SEC, which are available as described under “Available Information.”
Classified Board; Size of Board. Our charter and bylaws provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, and that one class shall be elected each year and serve for a three-year term. Our charter specifies that the number of directors at the effective date of the charter shall be six, which number may be increased or decreased as provided in the bylaws, but shall not be less than five nor more than thirteen. The current Board is composed of six directors.
Election of Directors. A director is generally elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting at which the election is held, except that, in case of a contested election, directors are elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. For one of our stockholders to nominate a candidate for director, our bylaws require that such stockholder give timely notice to us in advance of the meeting. Ordinarily, the stockholder must give notice not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. The notice must describe various matters regarding the nominee, the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made. Our charter does not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors of the class then being elected at that meeting of stockholders.
Removal of Directors. Maryland law provides that, if a corporation has a classified board, the holders of a majority of the corporation’s voting stock may remove a director or the entire board from office only for cause, unless the charter provides otherwise. Our charter and bylaws provide that stockholders may remove a director only “for cause” and with the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the-then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote, subject to any rights of holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock or any other series or class of stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances.
Filling Vacancies. Our bylaws provide that, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any class of preferred stock then outstanding, any vacancies on the board of directors, including vacancies by reason of an increase in the number of directors, may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurs and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.
Limitations on Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our bylaws provide that, except for the election of directors, action may be taken without a meeting of stockholders only if all of the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action being taken. The election of directors may not be undertaken by written consent.
Limitations on Calling Stockholder Meetings. Under our bylaws, special meetings of the stockholders may be called by a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer or president, or by our secretary upon written request of holders of not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the business proposed.
Advance Notice Bylaw; Proposal and Nomination Information Requirements. In order for a stockholder to bring a proposal before an annual meeting, including director nominations, our bylaws require that the stockholder give timely notice to us in advance of the meeting. Ordinarily, the stockholder must give notice at least 90 days but not more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Each proponent of a matter to be considered at a stockholder meeting and each stockholder nominating a director must furnish certain information, including his or her ownership of common stock, options or any short positions related to our common stock and any fees such proponent stands to earn based on the value of the common stock or derivatives related to the common stock. Each director nominated by a stockholder must certify that he or she is not a party to, and will not become a party to, any agreement with any person or entity in connection with service or action as a director. Such director nominee must also submit a completed director questionnaire provided by us.