They also agree that if they are outvoted, they will try to convince the company to pay Arlene less than the other directors. The first part of the agreement is valid because it relates to an issue on which Connie and Val can vote. The second portion can not be enforced as a shareholder voting agreement because Arlene's pay is within the discretion of the board of directors and will not come up for shareholder vote. Voting pools may specify exactly how the participating shares should be voted, or they may allow for negotiation and agreement for each individual issue. Many voting pools include an alternative dispute resolution procedure for reaching agreement on such issues.
Some states require that voting pools follow specific guidelines to be valid.
These laws may limit the length of a shareholder agreement, or may require that the shareholders deposit a copy of the agreement with the corporation. If a party to a valid voting agreement violates the agreement, the other parties may sue the uncooperative party. Courts may require that the dissenting shareholder vote according to the agreement, or they may disqualify violating votes.