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Automatic Data Processing appears to have overwhelmingly defeated a slate of insurgent board candidates. The payroll company said this week that preliminary results showed 10 directors were re-elected while three Pershing Square nominees drew less than 20 percent of the vote.

The election represents a defeat for activist investor Bill Ackman of Pershing Square, who had mounted an often, noisy proxy campaign, claiming ADP was not being run as efficiently and effectively as it could be.

The big victory for ADP's management came despite the fact that Glass Lewis, a proxy advisory firm, endorsed Ackman and his allies last week.

CEO Carlos Rodriguez said in a prepared statement, "this process has sharpened our focus on the importance of insightful, strategic engagement with our investors, which, over the past few months, has given us a greater appreciation of our owners' perspectives on our business and growth plans."

The vote is subject to certification by the Independent Inspectors of Election.

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