FOREST GROVE, OR -- More than two-thirds of Mentor Graphics' shareholders withheld their votes for most of the EDA software company's board of directors in its election last week, according to an SEC filing by the company this week.

More than 60 million votes were withheld from chairman Wally Rhines and president Greg Hinkley, respectively, while nearly 70 million were withheld for Sir Peter Bonfield. Despite running unopposed, only two candidates received a majority of the possible votes: Daniel McCranie received more than 70 million votes, and David Schechter received almost 90 million.

Shareholders were apparently moved by Carl Icahn's exhortations to hold the incumbent board responsible for jettisoning two of his three handpicked candidates. Icahn is Mentor's largest shareholder, owning just under 15% of the company's stock. Icahn did support Schechter, a portfolio manager at Icahn Capital.

Another firm, Institutional Shareholder Services, also recommended shareholders withhold their votes.

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