The South Dakota Voting Trust Agreement is a legal document that allows shareholders to safeguard their voting rights by designating voting trustees to hold their shares for a specified period of time. This agreement follows the provision that the shareholder has issued certificates in the care of the depository, under the name of the voting trustees. This arrangement ensures that the shareholder retains ownership of their shares while entrusting the voting rights to the designated trustees. There are different types of South Dakota Voting Trust Agreements that can be established based on specific shareholder requirements or circumstances. Some of these variations include: 1. Irrevocable Voting Trust Agreement: This type of agreement ensures that the shareholder cannot revoke or modify the trust without the permission of all parties involved. It provides stability and certainty to the appointed trustees while protecting the voting rights of the shareholders. 2. Revocable Voting Trust Agreement: Unlike the irrevocable trust, this agreement allows the shareholder to modify or revoke the trust arrangement at any time, based on their changing needs or preferences. It provides flexibility to the shareholder while still ensuring their voting rights are managed by the designated trustees. 3. Cumulative Voting Trust Agreement: In this type of trust, the voting rights of the shareholders are pooled together and allocated to individual trustees based on the number of shares held by each party. It allows minority shareholders to have a greater say in decision-making by leveraging their combined voting power. 4. Statutory Voting Trust Agreement: This agreement operates in accordance with the state's statutory laws, specifically those outlined by South Dakota. It ensures compliance with legal requirements, providing a transparent and standardized framework for voting trust arrangements. 5. Temporary Voting Trust Agreement: This type of trust is established for a specific duration or purpose, which could include major corporate events such as mergers, acquisitions, or board elections. Once the predetermined period or objective is completed, the trust is dissolved, and the shareholder resumes their full voting rights. Each type of South Dakota Voting Trust Agreement aims to protect and manage the voting rights of shareholders effectively. By delegating voting power to selected trustees, shareholders can ensure their voice is represented in corporate decision-making while still maintaining ownership of their shares.