(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, directors of a business corporation, other than those constituting the first board of directors, shall be elected by the shareholders. A bylaw adopted by the shareholders may classify the directors with respect to the shareholders who exercise the power to elect directors.
(b) Vacancies.--
(1) Except as otherwise provided in the bylaws:
(i) Vacancies in the board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each person so selected shall be a director to serve for the balance of the unexpired term unless otherwise restricted in the bylaws.
(ii) When one or more directors resign from the board effective at a future date, the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power by the applicable vote to fill the vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when the resignations become effective.
(2) In the case of a corporation having a board classified as permitted by section 1724(b) (relating to classified board of directors), any director chosen to fill a vacancy, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, shall hold office until the next selection of the class for which such director has been chosen, and until his successor has been selected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
(3) At any time when the offices of all of the directors of a corporation are vacant, any officer or shareholder, or a fiduciary for a shareholder, may call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing directors. This paragraph shall not apply if the articles or bylaws, or an agreement among the shareholders of a closely held corporation, provide that all of the powers and duties of directors are exercised by persons other than directors.
(c) Alternate directors.--If the bylaws so provide, a shareholder or group of shareholders entitled to elect, appoint, designate or otherwise select one or more directors may select an alternate for each director. In the absence of a director from a meeting of the board, his alternate may, in the manner and upon such notice, if any, as may be provided in the bylaws, attend the meeting or execute a written consent and exercise at the meeting or in such consent such of the powers of the absent director as may be specified by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws. When so exercising the powers of the absent director, the alternate shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of this subpart relating to directors.
(d) Cross references.--See the definition of "shareholder" in section 1103 (relating to definitions) and section 1758(c) (relating to cumulative voting).
(Dec. 19, 1990, P.L.834, No.198, eff. imd.; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1791, No.122, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment. Act 122 added subsec. (b)(3).
1990 Amendment. Act 198 amended subsecs. (a), (b) and (d).
Cross References. Section 1725 is referred to in sections 1103, 1504, 1755 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 15 - CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS
Chapter 17 - Officers, Directors and Shareholders
Section 1701 - Applicability of subchapter
Section 1702 - Manner of giving notice
Section 1703 - Place and notice of meetings of board of directors
Section 1704 - Place and notice of meetings of shareholders
Section 1705 - Waiver of notice
Section 1706 - Modification of proposal contained in notice
Section 1707 - Exception to requirement of notice
Section 1708 - Use of conference telephone or other electronic technology
Section 1709 - Conduct of shareholders meeting
Section 1711 - Alternative provisions
Section 1712 - Standard of care, justifiable reliance and business judgment rule
Section 1713 - Personal liability of directors
Section 1714 - Presumption of assent
Section 1715 - Exercise of powers generally
Section 1716 - Alternative standard
Section 1717 - Limitation on standing
Section 1718 - Inconsistent articles ineffective
Section 1719 - Renunciation of business opportunities
Section 1721 - Board of directors
Section 1722 - Qualifications of directors
Section 1723 - Number of directors
Section 1724 - Term of office of directors
Section 1725 - Selection of directors
Section 1726 - Removal of directors
Section 1727 - Quorum of and action by directors
Section 1728 - Interested directors or officers; quorum
Section 1729 - Voting rights of directors
Section 1730 - Compensation of directors
Section 1731 - Executive and other committees of the board
Section 1733 - Removal of officers and agents
Section 1734 - Officer's standard of care and justifiable reliance
Section 1735 - Personal liability of officers
Section 1741 - Third-party actions
Section 1742 - Derivative and corporate actions
Section 1743 - Mandatory indemnification
Section 1744 - Procedure for effecting indemnification
Section 1745 - Advancing expenses
Section 1746 - Supplementary coverage
Section 1747 - Power to purchase insurance
Section 1748 - Application to surviving or new corporations
Section 1749 - Application to employee benefit plans
Section 1750 - Duration and extent of coverage
Section 1755 - Time of holding meetings of shareholders
Section 1757 - Action by shareholders
Section 1758 - Voting rights of shareholders
Section 1759 - Voting and other action by proxy
Section 1760 - Voting by fiduciaries and pledgees
Section 1761 - Voting by joint holders of shares
Section 1762 - Voting by corporations
Section 1763 - Determination of shareholders of record
Section 1765 - Judges of election
Section 1766 - Consent of shareholders in lieu of meeting
Section 1767 - Appointment of custodian of corporation on deadlock or other cause
Section 1768 - Voting trusts and other agreements among shareholders
Section 1769 - Minors as securityholders
Section 1770 - Interested shareholders (Repealed)
Section 1781 - Derivative action
Section 1782 - Eligible shareholder plaintiffs and security for costs
Section 1783 - Special litigation committee
Section 1784 - Proceeds and expenses
Section 1791 - Corporate action subject to subchapter