What is required for a corporate action to be approved during a vote?

In the context of corporate governance, the requirement for a corporate action to be approved during a vote generally involves determining which percentage of the votes in favor is necessary for the action to be valid. The correct answer highlights that votes against the action must be less than those in favor. This means that if more shareholders support the action than oppose it, the action is approved.

This answer emphasizes the fundamental principle that a majority of the voting shareholders must show support for a corporate resolution. It's crucial to understand that this reflects the majority's will—if a majority of votes cast is in favor, the resolution passes, regardless of the presence of abstentions or votes against.

The other options suggest requirements that are not universally necessary for most corporate votes. For instance, a simple majority must be present does not fully capture the nature of how corporate votes work. A simple majority typically refers to the majority of votes cast rather than the total number of shareholders. Additionally, not all corporate actions require a special resolution, as some may be approved by a simple majority vote, and not every situation necessitates the presence of all shareholders at the vote.