A proxy is a person who is appointed by another to represent and act for him, usually in the voting of his stock. The written document appointing the proxy person is also called a proxy. Proxies are most common in larger corporations but can be helpful in a smaller company as a control device if a shareholder or group of shareholders can get a proxy from other shareholders to vote in specific ways. This gives the person holding the proxy more voting power. However, the person with the proxy must vote as agreed with the other person for whom he/she has the proxy.