§31E-8-807. Staggered terms for directors.

(a) The articles of incorporation may provide for staggering the terms of directors, other than ex officio directors, by dividing the total number of directors, other than ex officio directors, into up to five groups, with each group containing approximately the same percentage of the total number of directors, as possible. In that event, the terms of directors in the first group expire at the first annual meeting of members or, in the case of a corporation without members entitled to vote for directors, at the first annual meeting of the board of directors, after their election, the terms of the second group expire at the second annual meeting of members or directors after their election, the terms of the third group, if any, expire at the third annual meeting of members or directors after their election, the terms of the fourth group, if any, expire at the fourth annual meeting of members or directors after their election, and the terms of the fifth group, if any, expire at the fifth annual meeting of members or directors after their election. At each annual meeting thereafter, directors are to be chosen for a term of two years, three years, four years or five years, as the case may be, to succeed those whose terms expire.

(b) If a corporation has cumulative voting pursuant to section seven hundred twenty-seven, article seven of this chapter, this section applies only if there are at least three directors in each group.