The number of pro-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion proposals submitted by shareholders decreased overall in the 2024 proxy season compared to the 2023 proxy season, according to data provided by Proxy Analytics. Average support for DEI proposals decreased or remained flat as compared to average support for these proposals in the 2023 proxy season. A summary of the results as of June 10, 2024 follows.
| Proposal | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| # Submitted | Avg. % For | # Submitted | Avg. % For | |
| Racial Equity/Civil Rights Audits | 6 (5 voted) | 13% | 29 (16 voted) | 22% |
| Report on Effectiveness of DEI Efforts | 13 (12 voted) | 25% | 34 (6 voted) | 27% |
| Gender/Racial Ethnic Pay | 16 (all voted) | 29% | 16 (10 voted) | 34% |
| Report on Risks Associated with Omitting Viewpoint/Ideology from Written EEO Policy | 6 (all voted) | 1.6% | 1 | 1.9% |
| Board Diversity | 1 | 26% | 6 (4 voted) | 19% |
This article is part of a larger look at diversity shareholder proposals called “The Future of DEI Shareholder Proposals” that was authored by Fenwick’s Wendy Grasso, Merritt Steele, and David A. Bell and published by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance.