"He also told me that if the majority vote to accept the 19 cents offer and it passes, my shares will be tendered and I will receive the 19 cents. I told him I was not so sure that would happen, but he assured me it would. My question is.....How can someone else decide for me what I want to do? "

as far as i know , the only way your shares can be tendered is if you tender them.if by chance cliffs were to got get 50.1% you would be a minority shareholder like anybody else that did not tender.that does not mean you are not without rights. there is a process cliff has to follow to get the rest. i do believe there is a high percentage point at which they can force you to sell.

but remember ,there is a process they have to follow and if you tender you may lose any chance for more.if they pull there offer the price may or may not drop( who knows )its a choice one must make.